Meet the team - Viv Potter, Supervising Social Worker

Meet Supervising Social Worker, Viv Potter

Most of you will already know Viv well, she has been a member of the Calon Cymru team for many years and is a key player in making this team so happy and successful. Throughout her social work career, Viv has brought her substantial knowledge and caring heart to varied areas of social work including Local Authority social work and Child Protection. 

Viv spent some time telling us all about her career and helping us get to know her better.

Which office do you work for?

I work from the Carmarthen office and supervise foster all over Carmarthenshire.

When did you start working for Calon Cymru?

I have been working for Calon Cymru since 2010 and have had many of my foster carers stick with me throughout this time.

What made you want to work in foster care?

I enjoy seeing young people settle and thrive in families where they can heal from the trauma of the past and reach their full potential. It is great to be a part of changing young people’s lives for the better and an honour to work with my amazing foster carers who all have such a lot of love and care to give.

What do you do at Calon?

I am a Social Worker supporting foster carers to manage and care for children in their own homes. Many of my carers have been with Calon Cymru for many years- the longest 25 years.

I visit my allocated foster families every 2 weeks to offer support, guidance on the care of the child and help them implement therapeutic techniques which can help children to heal from their trauma.

Part of the job is working with the Team Around the Child and coordinating meetings to ensure all professionals from Social Services, Therapy Services, Health and Education are all working together to ensure the children get the best care.

I also assess new foster carers and train them throughout the assessment about what fostering will be like and how to welcome children into their homes.

What part of your job do you like best?

I really enjoy assessing new foster carers as I love hearing other people’s stories. Everyone has a unique tale to tell and I enjoy putting this story on paper and helping them achieve their goal to become a foster carer.

I also enjoy supporting my carers through their everyday lives. A unique relationship develops between us – one of support and mutual respect. Sometimes times are good and sometimes bad but its great to be there for them and help them through it all.

Tell us something people might not know about you

I am a French Horn player and play for a local Symphony Orchestra, Symphonica Twyi, and also Carmarthen Symphonic Wind Band. This is something I enjoy and it helps me unwind from the stresses of the job. I met my husband ( also a French Horn player) in the Band!

Why would you recommend working with Calon Cymru Fostering?

I have been with the company 14 years and many other staff have been here even longer. Calon Cymru are a supportive agency who really care about their staff and carers. The upper management and owners have a value base that reflects my own, putting children at the heart of everything we do and ensuring people are valued and supported.

If you could give advice to someone interested in becoming a foster carer, what would it be?

Contact us and discuss your circumstances and what you have to offer. Fostering is not easy at times, but it is incredibly rewarding. Many children become extended family to foster carers and remain in their lives many years after they have left the care system. You could be that person to make a difference and give a child a family!