8 March 2024 is International Women’s Day – Celebrating an amazing story on this day is so important to us, so we spoke with Bianka who more than delivered on that idea.
Bianka is a Service Manager for Children and Families Social Care in our West Quadrant. Her journey up to this point as a fascinating one, which you’ll begin to grasp through this short interview:
What’s your story? How did you come to work in Essex and the role you are in now?
“My name is Bianka Lang, and I applied for a social work role in Essex from Germany in 2003. I always had a love for England, having worked here as a volunteer for a year in 1992/93 in Birmingham, caring for a man with a spinal injury. I moved back to Cologne, Germany to study and start a family…
…I began my role as a newly qualified social worker in June 2004 in Chelmsford in the then Child Assessment and Family Support (CAFS) Team. I later changed to work as a social worker and then senior practitioner, piloting the duty senior role in the Assessment and Intervention Team (A&I), until I applied for a Team Manager role in 2013 and was successful…
…In 2020 I successfully applied for a Service Manager role in the Family Support and Protection Team, the Family Centre and the Family Time and Support Service in West Essex, and I have just changed Service Manager role to Assessment and Intervention and Children and Young People with Disabilities (0-25) and the Children and Young People’s Support Service (CAYPS) in West Essex. It is a real pleasure to work with my colleagues to support children and families in the best way we can.”
What is your proudest moment from your time here?
“My proudest moment was to be nominated by my team for Team Leader of the Year in 2016 for the Social Worker of the Year Awards. I did not realise they had nominated me until I was invited to the ceremony in London. I was very humbled to read the lovely comments my colleagues had written about me within the nomination…
…I received the Team Leader of the Year Award, as well as the Overall Social Worker of the Year Award, and was immensely proud of these achievements. I was invited to Parliament and the Queen’s Garden Party in 2017, which was a beautiful experience and historic moment for me.”
How have you been enabled to excel in the work that you do?
“I love working for Essex County Council. Throughout the 20 years I have worked here, I have had ample opportunity to develop, undertake excellent training through the Essex Social Care Academy, completing Master’s modules with different universities and practical training…
…The teams I manage and work with have strengthened me, and I’m amazed by their knowledge and tenacity. I feel encouraged by senior leaders to grow, progress, and take on different lead areas. I undertake sector led improvement work in other Local Authorities which has enriched my practice. The relationship-based practice that is embedded as our ethos and working model is very close to my heart. Lifelong learning for me is essential for growth and development…
…I am currently undertaking the Women in Leadership course, an intense and challenging development path for 18 months alongside work, and I thoroughly enjoy the content, participation, and the collaboration with women from all functions across Essex…
…Happy International Women’s Day!”
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