Over the last two days, I’ve had the absolute privilege of training learners from Stoke on Trent City Council’s Children’s Social Care. They were wonderfully motivated learners, who challenged themselves and enjoyed every minute of the bespoke course. The feedback from the group ranged from ‘excellent’ to ‘inspiring,’ and I think we all know how much I like to inspire. When you are working within social care it can be a difficult road, fraught with tough decisions, changes to ways of working, families that don’t seem to want to engage. The list is endless, what I found so rewarding about the group, was their ability to grasp the new ideas and absolutely run with them. They assisted one another when one or more may have been struggling with the theories. They stepped up to the plate and supported each other through reflective practice; no arguments, just discussion and conversation. They shone with energy as they discarded ambivalence and embraced new ways of engaging with families. It was a joyous two-day event. I always leave the sessions exhausted and yet strangely raring to go. An outstanding group.