Published Monday 27 July 2020 at 16:03
As part of the Council’s Worker Bee campaign, staff working across different departments are sharing their stories on adapting their roles during the Coronavirus outbreak.
This week we are highlighting the work of Clare Bibby, Service Manager for Adolescent Services within our children’s service directorate.
The former social worker and mum-of-three oversees the engage team who look after sexually and criminally exploited children, as well as SEEDS who are the adolescent support unit.
Since the start of lockdown Clare and the team have used Facetime and WhatsApp as an alternative to face-to-face meetings to maintain contact with the young people – which she admits has led to increased engagement.
Clare’s team have been providing young people with activities to do, such as providing ingredients to bake, a book loaning system and an outdoor circuit course with punch bag to allow young people release their frustration and anxieties.
They have also been supporting self-isolating families by doing doorstep deliveries of groceries.
Clare told us that a young client was anxious that her 16th birthday would not be celebrated because of lockdown so the team organised a small celebration for her.
She was really overwhelmed because she thought it was going to be an unnoticed birthday.
We put bunting up, had a mini picnic, and everyone sang Happy Birthday to her
said Clare:
I’m extremely proud of the teams that I support and all the staff members. They have adapted to the fast pace and the changes, and they’ve done it with a positive attitude.