Hi, my name is Safina Nadeem, and I have been a Team Manager for the Legal Aid Agency for around 6 years now. I achieved my education in Business Management and took a different educational path, one where I was studying whilst working.

I never expected to find myself working for the Civil Service however I stumbled upon an opportunity shortly after I had my youngest child through a family members recommendation. I was looking for a change in career at the time and that’s how I found myself becoming a part of the Crime Customer Services Team at the Legal Aid Agency, this was one of the best decisions I made. Not only do I enjoy my role thoroughly I work with a great group of people who motivate me to be the best version of myself. I thrive off their positive energy and find that I am given ample opportunity to not only develop myself but also the people I work with.

Although I had come from a people management background, I did find myself developing more skills including continuous improvement and the tools used, investigations training, as well as being given time to polish my analysing data and experience skills too.

Being part of the Legal Aid Agency is like being a part of a huge family, it is one of the reasons I have found myself staying. There are ample benefits including working from home as well as in our brand-new office space. Having the opportunity to have flexible working hours and an excellent pension scheme are all great things when you are a mother of a young child like myself, such benefits have given me a fantastic work life balance and allows me to work effectively whilst also being a dedicated parent.

One of my key pieces of advice is when you find a position you'd like to apply for, don't start filling in the application form straight away, take some time to prepare as this will make all the difference to the outcome and don’t forget “focus on what you can do, not what you can’t. Small steps turn into miles.”