Passion Undermined by ManagerialismWorking as an IFS worker at Kids First was deeply rewarding. I had the opportunity to build strong, supportive relationships with families and work holistically to address a range of complex needs. I particularly enjoyed using a strengths-based approach to empower parents and promote child wellbeing. The role allowed me to grow professionally, apply trauma-informed and child-centred practices, and collaborate closely with other services.
However, the experience was also impacted by a top-down, managerialist culture. There was limited space for reflective supervision, and high output expectations often overshadowed opportunities for critical reflection or practice development. At times, there was an unspoken pressure to work beyond contracted hours without prior discussion. While I remained committed to supporting families, the organisational culture sometimes made it difficult to sustain best practice.