From 1973/4 I attended a weekly training session for Local Authority staff supervisors conducted by Janet Mattinson. It was as a member of this group that I first met Maggie, née Cook, who coincidentally lived in a flat in the aforementioned ( in episode 61) Dolphin Square.
During the second year of the course, attendees were required to present their version of a chosen supervision session that they had conducted. When my turn came I was rather nervous. This is because one of my own supervisees was also a member of the group. Everyone thought it would be a good idea for me to present a live session with that person.
In 1974 I secured a post as Assistant Area Social Services Officer, soon to be renamed Deputy Area Manager, in Westminster Social Services Department. Muriel Trapp, my manager, and I were responsible for four teams of Social Workers and a hundred or so Home Helps. There were four Social Work Team Leaders and a Home Help Organiser. Apart from standing in for Muriel when necessary, I became allocated supervisor for two of the Team Leaders. One of these was Maggie Cook. This meant it was a live session with Maggie that I was to present. I don’t remember anything about it, but it must have been found acceptable.
Maggie was to become Mrs Michael Kindred. There will be more of a developing friendship which would lead to the existence of Mordred in due course.
You did so well in your career and must have been very highly thought of.
Thank you very much, Sue
The game is afoot!
Thanks a lot, Laurie
Your amnesia may be due to the anxiety you felt at the time 🙂
Of course. Thanks very much, Anne
I’m enjoying learning how your social work career developed.
Thank you so much, Liz
You’re welcome, Derrick.
You have seen and heard so much in your life. Being a social worker is not an easy job.
Thank you very much, Bridget
And the story continues anon.
Thanks very much, Pat
Such an interesting life Derrick, thanks for sharing!
And thank you for reading, Holly
My pleasure indeed!
It seems your training and career brought many friendships. It’s interesting to read about.
Thank you so much, Merril
It’s amazing the way people enter and change our lives, for better or worse.
It is, indeed, Rosaliene. Thanks very much.
I enjoy reading about your career! I’m so glad you did the job you did. 🙂
And it’s wonderful to think about co-workers who were a joy…became friends…who taught us and we taught them. I was fortunate to have so many good ones in my career! 🙂 I even learned from the not-so-good colleagues.
I’m sure you are thought of fondly by yours! 🙂
(((HUGS)))
Thank you so much, Carolyn X
Step by step and with great effort, you had a great career!
Thank you so much, Ribana
Fascinating stuff, Derrick! You oversaw a LOT of people! Curious to hear about Mordred!
Thanks very much, Jodie
<3
I agree you have led a fascinating life, Derrick! It seems to be a life mostly service to others, a life full of responsibility.
Thank you very much, Lavinia. The eldest of five syndrome.
Just like my mother. She was the eldest of 7. She was 19 when her mother died. Her father had checked himself into what passed for a mental health facility at the time, leaving her with the responsibility for all her siblings.
Ah.
I’m enjoying these so much even if I have been reading them somewhat out of order.
The saga is unfolding with all its fascinating details.
Thank you very much, Dolly. I do appreciate your opinion
The pleasure is mine, Derrick.