How do you measure contentment? This is one of the many questions practitioners from Gloucester County Council's (GCC) adult social care team sought to answer in part two of the podcast episode Adult social care - the difference that matters.

The conversation continues after the first episode, where Jo Sutherland, the principal social worker, Merryn Tate, assistant director and strategic lead for short term services, and Jen Simms, integrated social care manager, talk to Sharmeen Ziauddin, one of the editors at Community Care, about their work in adult services.

They share stories from the people they support as well as the ambition behind the Target operating model (TOM) which they refer to in part one.

Read the transcript.

You can find out more about Jo Sutherland and adult social care by following her on LinkedIn. Find out about careers at GCC's adults' services here.

About the Social Work Community Podcast

The Social Work Community Podcast explores the issues that matter to social work practitioners in their working lives. Editors Kirsty Ayakwah and Sharmeen Ziauddin interview experienced and inspiring guests, including frontline social workers who speak from the heart about their jobs, the sector and society.

It was nominated, alongside Community Care Inform’s Learn on the go podcast, in the audio content category at the 2026 Professional Publishers Association Awards.

Click ‘follow’ or ‘subscribe’ on your podcast app so you know when a new episode is published. And don’t forget to follow us on Instagram or on TikTok to keep up-to-date with the latest news and sign up for the Social Work Community to join the conversation on all things social work.

Produced by Sharmeen Ziauddin

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This episode discusses the challenges faced by adult social care in Gloucestershire County Council (GCC), including increasing demand, complex needs, and pressure on health and social care services.

In response to these challenges, the team at GCC have developed a new strategy called the Target Operating Model (TOM). You will hear Jo Sutherland, the principal social worker, Merryn Tate, assistant director and strategic lead for Short Term Services and Jen Simms - integrated social care manager talk about their vision. They also talk about what excites them about the TOM.

Look out for part two which will be coming out a week later!

If you're interested in working for Gloucestershire adult social care then check out the latest vacancies.

The Social Work Community Podcast explores the issues that matter to social work practitioners in their working lives.our podcast app so you know when a new episode is published.

Follow us on Instagram and TikTok to keep up-to-date with the latest news and sign up for the Social Work Community to join the conversation on all things social work.

Produced by Sharmeen Ziauddin

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the final in a three-part series from North East Lincolnshire Council, social workers from children's services explore some of the changes that contributed to a significant improvement in the authority's Ofsted rating.

In this episode Emily, who recently turned 18, explains how she has been supported and equipped to make the transition into adulthood.

And Ben highlights how through North East Lincolnshire's transformation journey the local authority has been able to introduce frameworks such as Staying Put to ensure that young adults can continue to live with their foster carers beyond the age of 18.

Access the transcript here.

The Social Work Community podcast is where social workers come to discuss the key issues affecting their profession. Whether you are a student or an experienced social worker - whether you are frontline or management, this podcast is for you. You will hear direct from social workers in your community about their successes and their challenges.

Follow us on Instagram to keep up-to-date with the latest news and join the Social Work Community for all things social work.

If you missed the previous episodes, check them out here:

Part 1: Achieving transformation (part 1) - how direct work is shaping support for children

Part 2: Achieving transformation (part 2): how digitising work in the integrated front door team has improved workforce efficiencies

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.