Katherine Chamberlain

Team Leader | South Otago

Email

Phone number

How long have you been with Anglican Family Care and what’s your background in?

I have been a social worker since 2005 and began leading the team in Clutha at the end of 2022. Most of my work has been supporting children and families in some way or other such as child protection, school social work, and supporting foster parents with high-needs young people. I’m always looking to keep the needs of the child at the forefront of planning and intervention and I’m always asking my team to think about what the impact on the kids is and how our involvement will make life better for them.

What inspired you to pursue a career in social work/family care?

I did my social work qualifications through Otago University as a post graduate. My bachelor’s degree was in primary teaching and although I enjoyed teaching and loved the time and interactions with kids, throughout my placements I became more and more aware that there were issues like poverty, family harm and trauma, that impacted on kids’ ability to learn and just be at school in the first place. I really wanted to do something about addressing those underlying needs so that is how I came into social work and I haven’t looked back since.

What do you find most rewarding about your work?

The opportunity to support a team doing work that we are passionate about and makes a difference. Hearing about how parents and families have benefitted from our involvement, whether it be parenting, safety planning, specific courses, information, support or connecting to other services – these ‘success’ stories are extremely motivating for me and the team!

What do you get up to outside of work? What hobbies or activities do you enjoy doing?

Living in Southland means I get to travel and see the countryside during the week so outside of work, I enjoy being involved in activities closer to home and am usually following through on family commitments. I love the beach, reading and my church community but if I’m honest, I really do spend way too much time playing ‘Fishdom’.

Enjoy every stage

“Enjoy every stage” was sage advice given to me by an aunty when I was pregnant with my daughter but I think it applies in so many areas of life. To me, enjoying every stage means noticing what is happening and how it fits with the bigger picture, not wishing the time away when it’s hard going or even a bit boring and having gratitude.

Other Management Team Members

Donna Davidson

Fundraising, Marketing & Communications Manager

Jane Hutton

Practice Manager

Mike Williams

General Manager

Other Business Support Team Members

Sarah Thornton

Fundraising, Marketing and Communications Administrator | Receptionist

John Gillanders

Business Systems Leader

Stacey Hobbs

Reception | Administrator

Other Practice Team Members

Sue Dundass

Team Leader | North Otago

Michelle Tukana

Team Leader | Central Otago/Queenstown Lakes

Terri Goddard

Home-based Family Support, Social Workers in Schools and Counselling Service Team Leader | Dunedin