A CALIFORNIAN woman who has been furthering her career in social work in Somerset says the place is so beautiful, she might end up staying here longer than planned.

Rechele Ramirez left her family and friends in America last year to join Somerset County Council as a Children’s Social Worker.

As well as taking on the challenging role and studying for a Post-Graduate Certificate in International Social Work from the University of Southern California (USC), she has also had to deal with the culture shock that is part and parcel of moving abroad.

She said: “The first Sunday I was here, I didn’t know that everything shuts down at 4pm. At around 5pm I thought I should probably go to Tesco and get some food, but everything was closed and it was like a ghost town! In the city back home, it’s like instant gratification; anything you want you can get it, you just go to the store.”

It’s not just shop opening times which differ across the pond.

Rechele also explained how different the perception of Social Workers is.

She added: “The work is admired more in the US; they are respected, you’re proud to call yourself a social worker and you have the community support building you up, whereas here I feel that the community and society in general looks at social workers a little differently.”

The partnership between Somerset County Council and USC provides social workers from the United States with two years of experience in another country.

Two more social workers will be flying over this year to begin the programme and experience what life is like as a social worker in Somerset.

Rechele added: “It’s really important for me to understand the family’s perception of social workers. When I go in and I see families who are tense or nervous, instead of carrying on with an assessment I’ll say I can see you’re tense or nervous, tell me what you’re feeling right now, how can we work together. I think it’s really important to validate the family’s feelings."

Cllr Frances Nicholson, Somerset County Council’s Cabinet Member for Children and Families, said: “It is fantastic to hear from our frontline staff that the changes that need to happen are being implemented every day.

“We are ambitious in our plans to improve social work in Somerset, and through this partnership we can also contribute to improving social work on an international level. I’d like to thank Rechele, and all our staff who are working so hard to make a difference for all our children and young people.”

With one year left of her placement, Rechele isn’t sure if she will be ready to leave Somerset.

She said: “Somerset itself is just absolutely beautiful, and I have formed a little family in England. I have a huge support system at home but I have met such amazing people here who I can’t imagine not knowing now. Maybe I’ll stay a little longer than the two years.”