Gary Valjalo is Lead Practitioner with the Review and Transformation team within Adult Social Care. Gary spoke to us about the highlights of a Sefton career spanning more than four decades.
Gary starred in our video about the Long Service award, which you can see right here:
Hi Gary, you’ve been recognised for your long service with Sefton – how long has it been, exactly?
I’ve been at Sefton Council for 43 years! I started in 1982 as a care assistant. I got my management qualification through the Council in 2000, and managed Respite and Daycare Services for older people and people with learning disabilities.
I’ve also worked in day centres, respite units and hostels. Then, in 2005, I completed a Social Work degree, and I worked with the Community Learning and Disabilities team.
Let’s rewind to 1982, back when the current Prime Minister was still a student – a fresh-faced Gary begins life at Sefton. What was that like?
It was like walking into another world – not quite Narnia, there weren’t any mythical creatures! But it was this massive interaction between different people and services. Sefton really was a community within a community.
So how have things changed between then and now?
Many of the big changes in Sefton have been driven by legislation. I think what’s been really impressive is the speed with which the Council has actually taken up the changes and driven them forward. I’m thinking of the Community Care Act and the current Care Act [for example].
I remember the introduction of direct payments and closure of large institutions, plus the move towards supported tenancies. Also, things that are sometimes not even necessarily positive – such as the pandemic – we've really learned from it and pushed on with hybrid working and technology during that time. I think that’s really one of the good things about the authority – that we’re so responsive.
You’ve worked with a lot of people in the past 43 years – who would you say has inspired you?
Many people have inspired me over the years – many of them are no longer with the authority.
It may sound like a cliche, but I’m inspired every time I come into work, when I see the commitment and hard work that colleagues and people in all the teams across Adult Social Care put in. They really are ambassadors for Sefton – which is obviously one of the Council’s values!
Being long in the tooth, some people who have inspired me are people who have made their careers within the Council, who I’ve known for a long time. [Some] are now Heads of Service and Service Managers. I remember when Alisa Nile, the current Head of Integrated Services, and Mark Waterhouse [a Service Manager] were students! Samantha Critchley, a close friend and colleague, has become the Service Manager for Learning Disabilities. Just seeing their commitment to our values [is inspiring]. In many ways, they haven’t changed a bit – they still value people, they treat staff with respect and they certainly encompass what Sefton Council stands for.
You’ve inspired many people yourself, which is why you’ve been recognised for your long service. What is your reaction to your years at Sefton being put in the spotlight?
Being recognised for long service is a real privilege. I’ve really appreciated working for Sefton Council over these 43 years. I’ve developed so much, professionally and personally. I just hope that my remaining time with Sefton will be just as good, and just as beneficial, as it has been all along!