Paula Gibbons qualified as a Social Worker (DipSw) in 1994, and completed her Social Work degree in 1995. Paula gained employment with North Tyneside Council’s Family Placement Team and continued in her role, principally assessing foster carers and adopters until two separate adoption and fostering services were developed in 2001.

Following a period as Senior Social Worker and then acting Team Manager, Paula was appointed Fostering Service Manager in 2003. Her area of particular interest is the training and support of Children Who Foster. With a colleague in 1995, Paula started a monthly support group and the young people named it Children Who Foster. Paula is very proud that the group continues to this day and has developed its role to include the pre-approval training of children aged 6 -17 years whose parents or close relatives are being assessed as foster carers for North Tyneside Council.