4 minute read
Staff in the spotlight
from Insight Issue 15
by ACT
This month we put the spotlight on Antony Leach who joined ACT in September 2014. Antony works as the Centre Manager at our Caerphilly Schools provision.
Tell us a little bit about your role, and what your average day looks like. I manage the Caerphilly Schools site. I am responsible for the safeguarding and wellbeing of staff and pupils as well as acting as the link between the school and other professionals within the local authority along with parents and carers. The day starts with a team briefing where any pupil’s issues/safeguarding issues are discussed along with attendance issues and anything else that is relevant. I spend as much time in the classrooms as my time permits me. It is nice to see the pupils develop into young adults. Each day is uniquely different and brings its different challenges.
What is the most rewarding part of your current role?
Safeguarding vulnerable children is a high priority for me and the team all share that vision. Collaborative work is central to safeguarding. We all hold different parts of a very complex jigsaw. Through strong relationships, collaborative work and the sharing of crucial information we are able to safely manage some of the most vulnerable young people in society. Watching that work in action is by far the most rewarding aspect of this role. Of course, outcomes are important, but I believe that if a child is cared for, feels safe and secure then the outcomes will naturally occur.
Tell us an interesting fact about yourself… In 2011 I was lucky enough to get divorced and my 2 children stayed with me. I was working on the child protection team within social services at the time and had to give up work to do the school runs. I made the decision that I would give up work, return to University and
when I graduated I would get a term time job and consider getting back on the dating train. That stuck with me as I completed my Education Psychology degree raising two young children. Fast forward a number of years later to the day I officially received my results. I was due to go on a first date and whilst sat outside waiting for her to finish work I took a call from ACT offering me a job with Schools. The date went on to be my wife and mother of my third child and the job went on to be the term time role that I visualised all those years ago. Spooky!
Where is the best place you have travelled to? In 2017 I got married in Positano, Italy. The Amalfi Coast is incredible! The food is out of this world and the people are lovely. I would definitely recommend visiting there at some point in your life.
What was the last album you listened to? I am a big Coldplay fan and will almost always be listening to something of theirs at some point. The last full album I listened to was ‘Birdy’ by Birdy. It was her debut album from 2011. She is a super talented singer/songwriter. What’s the worst job you’ve ever had? I had a few paper rounds as a kid. Sundays are a nightmare! Those bags are heavy and it was always the top floor of the flats that used to have the heaviest papers. It was good money for posting papers through a letter box but do you really need all of those magazines that come with them? How do you like to spend your time when you’re not working? I am really lucky that my children are older now and share some of the same interests as me. I am a HUGE Liverpool FC fan so spend time watching the best team in the world play with my 16-year-old son. I also love spending time with my girls. I have not gone as far as starting a Tik Tok account but spending time with them is really important for me. Our Schools provision is really busy everyday so sometimes just doing nothing is a treat. Sitting in silence, reading or listening to Alan Watts audio books is heaven for me and I try to do as much of that as possible too. What would be your top tip for colleagues? I understand that this is very cliché, but I love my job and I feel very lucky to be in a job I love. It isn’t easy and some days are incredibly challenging. However, I feel privileged to be in a job I love with a client group I enjoy working for and colleagues I enjoy working with. It is all too easy to feel entitled
and that we deserve what we get. My tip would be to practice gratitude for all that you have and know that hard work takes you where good luck can find you.
