• 11Nov 2011

  Lisa Fields-Barnwick (Team Project Leader)

  Where did you first see your job advertised?

  Online from daily job briefings sent to my inbox.

  What does your job involve?

  I work with young fathers who are traditionally perceived as being “absent”. We teach them parenting skills and support them in other ways, for example, if they have drug or alcohol problems. It’s non-judgemental and rooted in practical help and what we can do to assist. I work with the fathers individually and in groups showing them basic skills on how to interact with their children as many have never been in contact with them – or the mothers – since they were born.

  What’s good about your job?

  Seeing how the parents gradually build bonds with their children. Often they have had little contact and are very reluctant to get close to their children. But through time that gradually changes and they begin to really respond positively. The idea is that they interact fully and become full-time fathers.

  …and bad?

  We have to deal with lots of issues and support is not always available. Specialist support for drug and alcohol misuse can be difficult to access on the NHS because of the extent of the problem in the west of Scotland so that can often hinder clients’ progress.

  What would make it easier?

  As always more cash, more staff, more resources in general! It’s the same everywhere. We just need to cope with less these days. It’s a fact of life for anyone in the public and voluntary sectors.

  Is this a job for life?

  Funding only last for two years and already we are one year in so I really can’t say what will happen after that. Chances are we could be re-funded but under the current climate it is certainly not a forgone conclusion.

  Most important lesson learned?

  Everyone is different and all are unique. Also I’ve learned to approach everyone with an open view. I’ve been caught out too many times when trying to neatly categorise people.

  Who would be your ideal boss?

  Is there such a person? I’ve come to realise people don’t like being managed – they prefer being in total control so I imagine I would be the ‘ideal’ boss of me!

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