Features / If I Knew Then
If I Knew Then: Nasareen Ahmed
Having grown up with a strong desire to help others, Nasareen Ahmed started out as a social worker, before spending more than 15 years managing organisations including an adoption service, a short break service for disabled children and several fostering agencies.
In January 2009, she took the brave decision to start Amicus Foster Care, an independent foster care agency based at St Werburgh’s Community Centre that seeks out loving families for children who are looked after by local authorities.
How did you start your career?
My parents always instilled in me that if I wanted to effect positive and constructive change I needed to work within the system, not against it. Despite my somewhat rebellious nature I decided the police force was the way to go, but to my disappointment, height restrictions stopped me. Still, the drive to effect positive change from within led me to the social care sector and I started my career as a childcare social worker for the local authority.
Eventually I was in a position to start Amicus, putting into it all the best practices I learned at local authorities and independent agencies.
If you knew then what you know now, what mistakes might you have avoided?
Sometimes our greatest learning comes from our failures but I don’t think there are many things I would change. My biggest learning curve was when I changed from a social worker to a newly-qualified manager of people. I have always been very driven and had a clear vision of what I wanted to achieve, and I wanted my staff to have courage and to be creative. You sometimes have to go through some difficult steps to meet your standards and expectations.
What advice would you have given yourself when starting?
Let your passion flow. Don’t let people dampen it and don’t give up in what you believe in – no matter what your field, learn to be yourself and don’t be afraid of who you want to be.
If you knew then what you know now, would you still be sitting there?
Yes, absolutely. There’s a huge amount of pressure in this job but my fundamental belief in what I do has never changed.
What do you know now that you didn’t know then?
I didn’t know how to manage people, manage budgets effectively or write policies. Your passion is one thing but you need to understand all the other elements that go with it to be successful.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve received so far?
I am lucky that I have been always had some wonderful and positive people in my career and personal life but the best piece of advice I have had was ‘never be afraid to fail’.
What is your career highlight?
My highlights happen all the time – it’s seeing our children grow in confidence. Seeing them through their journeys and seeing their hurt turn into happiness – those are the biggest rewards ever.
What is your career low point?
There have been a few but that is the nature of the work.
What keeps you awake?
Ofsted inspections! We’re going through one at the moment and hoping to retain our Outstanding status is causing me a few sleepless nights.
What’s changed from when you started out?
Safeguarding has really improved. Alongside all the new legislation, guidance on policies and procedures, there’s huge pressure from local authorities on agencies – but it’s a really positive thing because it makes better services for children which in turn improves their lives.
What’s still on your to-do list?
I want to start a project working with foster carers, children and their birth families to develop relationships. We know how strong that tie is, regardless of the circumstances. I’ve made a start and we’re going to be introducing it to our business this year.
What’s next for you in business and personally?
I’m going to keep living my dream. I love my work and I’m looking forward to developing what we do further.
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