Finding purpose in children’s social care

For Lois Sutherland, working in social care isn’t just a job – it’s about building trust, creating opportunities and helping young people grow into themselves.

As part of the Short Breaks for Children team in Shetland, Lois supports children and young people with additional support needs (ASN), providing respite care that gives both families and children valuable time, space and new experiences.

“It’s a really rewarding job,” she says. “You feel you are genuinely making a difference, and you see the changes in them personally, which is really special.”

The Short Breaks for Children service offers day sessions and overnight stays for children ranging from primary school age through to the end of high school. Many of the young people supported have autism, ADHD or other learning disabilities, and the service is designed to be fully person-centred.

That means tailoring activities to each child’s interests and needs – whether that’s quiet time, building confidence through everyday routines, or getting out into the community.

“In the winter we might go to the cinema or swimming,” Lois explains. “In the summer, we’ll head outdoors to places like the Burn o’ Lunklet or Michaelswood. It’s about giving them opportunities they might not always get at home.”

The service operates from two hubs in Lerwick, with staff collecting children from home or school and supporting them throughout their stay. A rolling rota allows practitioners to work consistently with the same young people over several weeks, helping relationships develop naturally.

“You build that bond really quickly,” she says. “It’s amazing when they trust you and feel comfortable trying new activities.”

Lois joined children’s respite services in July 2025 after working in adult social care since 2019. Although moving from adult services into children’s support was a significant change, she says the transition was made easier by strong teamwork and structured support.

“They gave me a full month of shadowing shifts when I started, which helped me learn the role properly. Honestly, it’s the best team I’ve ever been part of – management and staff have been so supportive.”

She is currently working towards her SVQ3 qualification and hopes to complete an HNC soon, reflecting the clear development pathways available within the sector.

One of the biggest attractions of working in social care, Lois says, is the variety. Every child is different, and every shift brings new experiences.

“Sometimes you’re just being there with them, providing reassurance and support. Other times you’re out and about, doing lots of activities. It really depends on their wants and needs.”

While working with children can bring unique challenges – especially around providing guidance and structure – she says the rewards far outweigh them.

“Every achievement for them, you feel that for yourself as well.”

Having grown up in Voe and attended Brae High School before completing S6 at Anderson High School, Lois knows Shetland well. She now lives in Scalloway and values the strong sense of community that island life offers.

“Family life is really good here because everyone is so close, and there’s a real sense of community,” she says.

Working in a small community can sometimes mean encountering people you know outside work, but overall, she believes the positives far outweigh any challenges.

“It’s just a really rewarding job, and you can see the difference you’re making.”

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