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Amazing Social Workers profiles: Week 4

Profiles

31 March

Practice educators

  • Donna Kirkby
  • Eleanor Namih
  • Jade Sexton
  • Jenny Stewart
  • Julien Cookey-Gam
  • Sue Newton

1 April

Students

  • Connie Forward
  • Donna Carter
  • Emma Kirwin
  • Hannah Barnes
  • Kimberley Rose
  • Natalie Marfleet
  • Stacey Johnson

2 April

Amazing teams

  • Adult Care Team North
  • Children in Care Team Hull
  • Deprivation of Liberty Safeguarding Team
  • Emergency Duty Team
  • Enablement Team
  • Enhanced Reconnect
  • Experts in Practice
  • Lancashire Mental Health Management Team
  • Oldham CSC Safeguarding & Independent Review Unit
  • Philippa & Milton

3 April

Amazing teams

  • Ruthin Community Resource Team
  • s75 Social Care South LPFT
  • SEND Family Help Service
  • Tamworth Initial Response Team
  • West Belfast Adult Learning Disability Team

4 April

Independent social workers

  • Dr Mark Holloway
  • Rachel Sensicle

Amazing Social Worker - Donna Kirkby
Donna Kirkby

Donna is a practice educator at North Northamptonshire Council and has been recognised by Ben Medlin

Donna was the first person within my team to identify the potential of me becoming a social worker. I had self-doubts, however Donna provided lots of encouragement which led to me applying to the apprenticeship. Donna assisted the process into Warwick Uni and has been my practice educator throughout. I am now in my final year, having just finished placement and looking to graduate next summer. Donna is always contactable, knowledgeable, and understanding, making the stressful times, less stressful. Our moto to not just to do the minimal to pass the course’s but to go the extra mile is leading me in becoming a confident professional that hopefully will be a confident social worker. 
Donna encourages others within the organisation to consider completing the social work degree, a positive force that advocates for the profession. Danna has a natural ability to see the best in others, identifying the potential benefits for the person from an individualistic perception, regarding personal growth and professional identity, to contextualised within the belief of the positives that people who use services get the best quality of support and accessibility to social workers. Professionals like Donna are key to changing the narrative to social work.

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Amazing Social Worker - Eleanor Namih
Eleanor Namih

Eleanor is a lead officer at North Lincolnshire Council and has been recognised by Julia Glover

Ellie has made significant contributions to social work in several ways:

  1. Leadership and Management: She has led and managed social work teams, ensuring effective service delivery and support for both staff and people they work with.
  2. Education and Mentorship: As a passionate advocate for social work education, Ellie has been the practice educator for student social workers and supported newly qualified social workers through their ASYE, helping to shape the next generation of professionals.
  3. Integrated Discharge Team: She was instrumental in developing the Integrated Discharge Team in North Lincolnshire, which improved coordination between health and social care, facilitating timely hospital discharges for vulnerable individuals.
  4. Adaptation During Crisis: During the Covid-19 pandemic, Ellie led her team through significant changes, adapting work practices to meet the urgent needs of the community and ensuring that those in crisis received timely support.
  5. Innovative Resource Management: Known for her creative and intuitive approach, Ellie has effectively managed resources to achieve the best outcomes for the most vulnerable people in the community.

Overall, Ellie's impact on social work has been profound, enhancing both the quality of care provided and the professional development of her colleagues.

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Amazing Social Worker - Jade Sexton
Jade Sexton

Jade is a lead officer at Hull City Council and has been recognised by Claire Rutherford

Jade Sexton is a practice educator and works in the Social Work Academy, Jade supports newly qualified social workers and students. In the last year Jade has supported over 3 cohorts of apprentice social work students through their learning journey, this has included supervisions, group reflections and contributing to the readiness for practice modules with Hull University.

Jade has created quality learning experiences for them all and as a result we are getting to a good place in Hull in terms of ‘growing our own’ workforce. But her skills, innovation and commitment to creating a sound foundation of learning is what makes her worthy of this nomination. Jade has developed an excellent social work induction programme which has been complimented by various students and new professionals joining Hull City Council. Coupled with this she has worked with other Practice Educators to develop the ASYE Plus 1 programme to ensure that our staff have a robust offer in place, that sees them thrive in social work. This is supporting the SWs to feel supported, valued and build on their knowledge and practice. In turn they have sound evidence base when supporting children and families. She has coproduced workshops for colleges which is sparking more interest in the profession. 

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Amazing Social Worker - Jenny Stewart
Jenny Stewart

Jenny is a practice educator at Adult Mental Health Team North - Worcestershire County Council and has been recognised by Kelly Hunston

Jenny has been my line manager and PE throughout my ASYE. She is supportive, encouraging, and always provides a safe environment for me to talk through any worries. Jenny is a strong advocate for the individuals who use our service -  ensuring they receive best practice from all professionals involved in their care. Jenny has an excellent sense of humour and can always brighten the darkest of days. I am so grateful to have her as my colleague.

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Amazing Social Worker - Julien Cookey-Gam
Julien Cookey-Gam

Julien is a practice educator at London Borough of Enfield and has been recognised by Anne Enemaku

I’m nominating Julien for her passion in training students and the nurturing support that she gives to NQSW to help build their confidence in practice. Julien is an amazing practice educator who deserves recognition.

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Sue Newton

Sue is a practice educator consultant at City of York Council

Sue is an incredibly supportive individual. She works above and beyond to support others and advocate for other professionals. Her role focuses on supporting Students and Newly Qualified Social Workers but she offers incredible support to the entire workforce. Her passion and enthusiasm for social work is clear in everything she does.

From a personal perspective, Sue's support, knowledge and guidance has been fundamental in my growth as a social worker and professional.

She is an incredible advocate and supporter and is always keen to celebrate good practice achievements.

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Amazing Social Worker - Connie Forward
Connie Forward

Connie is a student at Hull City Council and has been recognised by Claire Rutherford

Connie is a student with the Council, she studies at Hull University and has been undertaking the apprenticeship programme. Connie joined us and did her first placement with children in care, she instantly made a good impression. The children she supported said she spent quality time with them, they felt that she understood them and acted on their wishes and feelings. She then went to spend time in the assessment teams for her final placement. Connie is measured, calm and takes a pragmatic approach to her work. She is someone wo cares deeply and demonstrates this when she is supporting families.

Connie has immersed herself in training during this journey, she understands the importance of CPD and ensuring that her actions are based on research and that she has an evidence base. Connie has a positive mindset and creates hope for others. A great start to your social work journey- continue to champion the role Connie. 

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Amazing Social Worker - Donna Carter
Donna Carter

Donna is a student at Coventry University and has been recognised by Jane Shears

Donna is now in the third year of a social work apprenticeship with Coventry University. Throughout the course she has embraced every opportunity to further her knowledge and experience both in her substantive role and in the contrasting learning experience. 
Her written work is first class, and she prepares thoroughly for our supervision sessions. She is a thoughtful and sensitive practitioner whose work is evidence and values based. Donna is an amazing student and soon will be an amazing qualified social worker. Not long to go now Donna! 😊

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Amazing Social Worker - Emma Kirwin
Emma Kirwin

Emma is a student and has been recognised by Siobhan Maclean

Hannah (featured below) developed the 'lotus model' which provides a systemic basis for understanding concepts within social work. She had a chapter about the model published in 'The Reflective Social Worker' (2024). Emma watched a video about the model and developed it into a direct work tool for her placement practice. She then met with Hannah and they presented the tool to practice educators at the NOPT Conference. Linzi became aware of the model and developed this into a new model for reflective supervision. These students are the future of our profession and they are developing some great new models and methods for us. We should celebrate them!

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Amazing Social Worker - Hannah Barnes
Hannah Barnes

Hannah is a student and has been recognised by Siobhan Maclean

Hannah developed the 'lotus model' which provides a systemic basis for understanding concepts within social work. She had a chapter about the model published in 'The Reflective Social Worker' (2024). Emma (featured above) watched a video about the model and developed it into a direct work tool for her placement practice. She then met with Hannah and they presented the tool to practice educators at the NOPT Conference. Linzi became aware of the model and developed this into a new model for reflective supervision. These students are the future of our profession and they are developing some great new models and methods for us. We should celebrate them!

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Kimberley Rose

Kimberley is a student at Reach Team, City of Wolevrhampton Council and has been recognised by Emma Kirkland

Kimberley is an amazing student social worker who has shown great loyalty and commitment to the Local Authority and service. Kimberley has long awaited this time to study and has gone over and above to ensure she has the knowledge, skills and experience to thrive in her career as a SW. Kimberley is a longstanding employee starting from early help and preventative support to working with care leavers giving her a great foundation to her social work career. Kimberley goes above and beyond for any child, young person and family she supports taking a whole family approach and being creative and innovative in her approach to achieving better outcomes. Kimberley has supported the majority of her young people to secure education or employment which is an amazing achievement by supporting young people to identity their strengths and area of work where they can thrive and find their purpose.  Kimberley is achieving high grades throughout the programme and has really built a positive reputation amongst various teams and areas to strengthen her career. Kimberley will make an amazing social worker and deserves the recognition for her hard work, commitment and care.

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Amazing Social Worker - Natalie Marfleet
Natalie Marfleet

Natalie is a student at Bedford Borough Council and University of Bedfordshire and has been recognised by Charlotte Hughes

Natalie has put her all into her placements with us in Bedford Borough Council! Natalie is child and family centred, takes every learning opportunity in her stride and has completed some transformative relationship based direct work with her children and young people! I hope we can keep her and I'm incredibly proud of her!

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Amazing Social Worker - Stacey Johnson
Stacey Johnson

Stacey is a student at Lincolnshire County Council and has been recognised by Joanne Jones

Stacey works in an acute hospital however she never allows this pressure to impact on her interventions. When supporting the vulnerable she maintains a personal grace rooted in a deep understanding of her own values and ethics which are robustly aligned with those of social work practice. She consistently demonstrates empathy and compassion which has been evidenced in direct observations of practice and feedback to those she has supported. Feedback received confirms others feel engaging with social care as being a worthwhile, positive activity on which they can build. 

Stacey is passionate in ensuring autonomous decision making remains at the forefront of her practice. She makes poignant, well considered responses in discussions with other professionals, she challenges bias and assumptions, promoting positivity and alternate ways of thinking resulting in safer, robust discharge planning with a person's wellbeing and dignity remaining the focus. She responds with respect to all, demonstrates empathy for difficulties other professionals may face but is able to make a difference to ways of thinking with gentle encouragement to explore how things could be different and the impact that would have on the vulnerable. Through this she demonstrates an ability to effect change while maintaining effective relationships. 

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Amazing team - Adult Care Team North
Adult Care Team North

Adult Care Team North are an amazing team

The team has had such a difficult 12 months and yet it keeps going.  We have, like many services, had challenges this year with staff changes, recruitment, significantly high demand for support and all at a time where people continue to struggle with the cost of living. It has felt like we have been working at 50% at times and the pressure that puts on team is immeasurable. The staff on this team are truly dedicated to the Social Work Profession and to the people of Wolverhampton. They have continued to always try their absolute best to support people in crisis and even when they have been asked to do more - whilst there might be an appropriate grumble - they have done what they can to help out as they know that things are really tough and it is the local people whom we are here to support. The team consists of so many hard working and dedicated people who are an inspiration to work alongside. They represent the best of the profession and the diverse range of backgrounds, knowledge and skills makes us stronger. I am really proud of the team and everything they have achieved in spite of the struggles we have had. They deserve recognition.

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Amazing team - Children in Care Team Hull
Children in Care Team Hull

Children in Care Team Hull are an amazing team

The children in care team in Hull is made up of leaders social workers, family practitioners, contact officers and business support. Together they support over 730 children and young people. The staff know and love the children that they support, their role is like no other social workers in the City because they only look after children in care. This is a huge responsibility and one that they take seriously. As corporate parents of the children and young people the team have high aspirations for each and every one of them.

When a child or young person’s parents or family cannot provide appropriate care for them and they become looked after, they rely on carers and the relationship with their social worker to help and guide them through their life span. To do this the teams have to build trust, demonstrate love, compassion, care and a real genuine interest in these children. They are a team with some very dedicated team members who go above and beyond to show the children that they really do matter.

The CLA team brings so many rewards but by nature of the close relationships they build, when loss happens, it hurts and practitioners are often faced with difficult and traumatic experiences. They are a team who take their role seriously and who are proud corporate parents, they put people first! This flexibility and good will should be recognised as outstanding contributions to young people who needed the help, protections and good parenting.

The team have a new Group Manager, Katie Fisher, she is setting the bar for her team, demonstrating that we want only the best for the children in care in Hull. This year the team have pulled together, they are focusing on the things important to children and work in a flexible, kind and loving manner to provide children with the love attention and care they need.

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Amazing team - Deprivation of Liberty Safeguarding Team
Deprivation of Liberty Safeguarding Team

Deprivation of Liberty Safeguarding Team are an amazing team at North Lincolnshire Council  and have been recognised by Helen Rose

The team are adaptable and work hard for innovate ways of working to resolve any challenges. The team are extremely passionate about upholding people's rights and striving to improve MCA practice and the lives of people.

The team utilise their expertise to make a difference much wider than just within their own team and in relation to DoLS. They have been integral in the redesign of the MCA, best interests recording tool. In ensuring that the workforce have the appropriate tools for their MCA practice compliance with the MCA has improved supporting better outcomes for people and an approach focused on their strengths and taking practicable steps to support their decision making or involvement in decision making.

The team have developed bespoke ways to capture people's voice that is individual to them ensuring that people's experience is at the forefront of any developments the team needs. Different mechanisms are used according to what works best for them. The team are advocates for capturing the voices of people who lack mental capacity. The team have developed processes to monitor conditions attached to Dols authorisations in a robust and person-centred way to ensure the best outcomes for people of North Lincolnshire.

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Amazing team - Emergency Duty Team
Emergency Duty Team

Emergency Duty Team are an amazing team at Northumberland County Council and have been recognised by Patrick Boyle

I would like to nominate out EDT for the out of hours work that they do (often late at night and alone) for children’s social care (they cover adult care too). They are a very small, county wide team, who do a phenomenal job in supporting and safeguarding children, they are always positive, they work together well as a team, keep managers up to date, and evidence the work they undertake and the decions they make to keep children safe. They are Outstanding and this was  noted in the recent Ofsted inspection which judged Northumberland to be Outstanding. Well done and huge thanks.

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Amazing team - Enablement Team
Enablement Team

Enablement Team are an amazing team at Gloucestershire County Council and have been recognised by Joanne Walker

I am proud to submit this nomination for the Enablement Team. Their innovative strategies and unwavering commitment to serving the communities in Gloucestershire are truly commendable. Their tenacity and exceptional problem-solving skills ensure that individuals remain safe while fostering their independence.

Enablement Services focus on supporting individuals with physical disabilities, mental health issues, dementia, and learning disabilities. Recently, there has been a significant increase in referrals for individuals dealing with hoarding behaviours and self-neglect.  

They assist community members who often lead isolated lives, lacking support from family or friends. Over the past year, the team has received more than 2,000 referrals. When appropriate, Enablement seeks grants to provide essential items such as household goods, carpets, deep cleaning services, housing and garden maintenance, mobility aids, and assistance with energy and heating costs.

The praise they receive from various agencies, professionals, and especially the individuals they assist, reflects the outstanding impact of their work. Team members are often described as inspirational and compassionate, embodying a warmth and understanding that Gloucestershire County Council takes great pride in.

Every conversation I have with colleagues in the Team leaves me impressed by their dedication to empowering individuals in Gloucestershire to live as independently as possible.

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Amazing team - Enhanced Reconnect
Enhanced Reconnect

Enhanced Reconnect are an amazing team at Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS foundation trust and have been recognised by Loren Ruddy

Enhanced Reconnect (ER) operation since 2024, seeks to improve the continuity of care of vulnerable people leaving prison working with them before they leave and supporting their transition to community-based services. The team aims to reduce inequalities and address health-related drivers of offending.  ER have created links between prison and community to: increase access to and uptake of healthcare or relevant support services for vulnerable individuals who would otherwise struggle to engage. The team have developed relationships with a number of agencies across 2 large counties (Lancashire and Cumbria) including key statutory and third sector organisations. Through the introduction of staff with lived experience, the service has a workforce that is inclusive and reflective of the client group. This challenges stigma and judgement equally for services and the staff within but also for people using the services in being able to see a tangible diverse workforce. It has enabled improved opportunities for individual to engage – visible shared experience to enable trust to develop between those who are or can be typically hard to engage. The team embodies the organisational and social work values and behaviours, the team consistently seeks to deliver excellence, seeing tasks through, helping, supporting and developing others.

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Amazing team - Experts in Practice
Experts in Practice

Experts in Practice are an amazing team at Darlington Borough Council and have been recognised by Martin Webster

In Darlington People Directorate, we have a research project called Experts in Practice. The staff that are involved give up their own time to become researchers on areas that are important to them, their colleagues, the local authority and the communities they serve. The project is in 2 parts, one aspect linking with the NIHR and Sunderland University, for research to an accreditation, the other part focused on internal support processes. Both parts are facilitated Workforce Development in the People Directorate. Staff complete extra training that includes 'Train the Trainer', Podcast Development, and core area specific training, including; Autism, ADHD, Preparation for Adulthood, Antiracist Practice, Substance Abuse, Self Neglect, Life Story Work, Loneliness/Isolation and Contextualised Safeguarding. They work alongside multi-agency partners, link closely with children, young people, adults and families, all to develop research-based learning resources for their peers to benefit from. These staff excel in helping the sector grow and improve. Using an Evidence Based Practice approach, taking professional knowledge, mixing it with the voice of the individuals and families they support, along with theory based professional research undertaken, they create a little bit of magic that is informed and person centred. An amazing project, undertaken by amazing workers.

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Lancashire Mental Health Management Team

Lancashire Mental Health Management Team are an amazing team and have been recognised by Mairead Gill Mullarkey

This team is a magnificent group of people who truly care for each other, employees they lead and people we have the privilege to support.

They work together and lean on each other when the days can be tough. The values of do what is right is embedded across a very diverse team. We work to each members strengths and depend on each other to achieve outcome for staff and the people we support. Their kindness, work ethic and the joy they bring to their job is outstanding. We once had a complaint for how much laughter there was in the team office. As we spend so much time in work hearing people laugh and smile is heart warming. And in doing this they gain the trust of staff. We know when we need to lead from the front and when it is time to follow and oversee from the back. During times of great pressure this team come together and work hard to achieve the best safe outcome for people. Being leaders is about integrity honesty and transparency and modelling this professional and personal behaviour has developed a strong supportive workforce.

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Amazing team - Oldham CSC Safeguarding & Independent Review Unit
Oldham CSC Safeguarding & Independent Review Unit

Oldham CSC Safeguarding & Independent Review Unit are an amazing team at Oldham MBC

I would like to nominate the Safeguarding and Independent Review Unit in Oldham- I am so proud of the practice from the IROs and CP Chairs that work in the unit. Their commitment to equality and engaging with children and families in a meaningful way is inspirational. Each and every member of the team strives to put the child at the heart of their meetings and it is wonderful to see the impact of this engagement. The team undertake visits ahead of conferences and reviews to ensure that children and families understand and are prepared for their meeting. I love it when the team share examples of the creative ways that they engage, considering accessibility and inclusion needs. Thank you to everyone that is part of this wonderful team and supports the fantastic work that they do. The commitment to keeping children safe and driving quality planning for children and families in Oldham really does make me very proud!

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Philippa & Milton

Philippa & Milton are an amazing team and have been recognised by Nerys Anthony 

The Children's Society’s adoption support service is delivered with deep care & commitment. The two Social Workers in the team are trauma informed and exceptionally skilled - the dedication & passion for the work shines through everything. They live and breathe social work values. Adopted adults consistently & continually positively feedback their experience of the service “they are a credit to the profession” was recent feedback to Ofsted from an adult we have supported. The support given is described as life changing and affirming. The team provide a highly bespoke, sensitive service - treating those we support with dignity & respect. The team are described as “warm & sensitive”. In the last year 100% adopted adults rated their overall experience of the service as excellent, and 100% rated excellent the presentation of their records. Of local authorities/agencies we worked with 100% rated contact with team as either good or excellent, with preparation of records & redacted copy also rated 100% either good or excellent. I cannot praise them enough - they are a credit to the profession. It is a privilege for me to be the Responsible Individual for the service and to serve with Philippa and Milton.

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Amazing team - Ruthin Community Resource Team
Ruthin Community Resource Team

Ruthin Community Resource Team are an amazing team at Denbighshire County Council Social Care Team and have been recognised by Louisa Lloyd

I am a newly qualified social worker working in Denbighshire Ruthin and Corwen community resource team (crt). Denbighshire sponsored me through my degree which was amazing and I had the full support of the team to reach my goal. As a team, we work collaboratively to support the citizens of Denbighshire to achieve their outcomes. With diminishing funds and more complex lives of the people we support, our team, lead by our amazing manager Nicola, support each other to ensure our citizens get the best service. As a newly qualified social worker, I feel so lucky to have the support of my colleagues and managers. They listen and are always there to lend an ear, give advice and be my greatest cheerleader! We also embrace multi-disciplinary team working and now sit alongside our health colleagues which really improves the service for the citizens we support. Our manager is really keen on development and wellbeing too. We are encouraged to bring new ideas to try and will always have the support behind us. Ruthin CRT are a one off and I am so privileged to be a part of this wonderful team.

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Amazing team - s75 Social Care South LPFT
s75 Social Care South LPFT

s75 Social Care South LPFT are an amazing team at Lincolnshire Partnership Foundation Trust and have been recognised by Bornona Mukherjee

As a first year student social worker, I have found the s75 team ethos to meet and exceed all my expectations on my first placement. The team manager and entire team attend weekly team meetings and are present to discuss practice, cases and next steps. Additionally, the whole team is available for ongoing support and guidance throughout the working week. I have been supported throughout as I learn to navigate my way through systems, rules, legal frameworks and multi-disciplinary processes to try and empower our service users to live their best life. Senior social workers also bring cases to team meetings which leads to open discussion and insight into working through complex challenging situations. The s75 Social Care South works in a collaborative positive momentum and this working style has helped me immensely as student social worker to learn from their collective practice wisdom. Service users paths to care, support and recovery are being made so much better through collaborative team knowledge and efforts.

Information in the media talks much about the challenges, difficulties and negative perceptions of the social work profession and workplaces. It is all the more necessary to highlight how this amazing team is able to make it work in such a supportive and positive way every single day.

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Amazing team - SEND Family Help Service
SEND Family Help Service

SEND Family Help Service are an amazing team at City of Wolverhampton Council and has been recognised by Charmayne Dean

I would like to nominate the newly named SEND Family Help Service (previously the Disabled Children & Young People’s team) for an ‘amazing team award’. The team now consisting of three services, has seen ongoing changes across the last 2 years as it has developed, the team supports the most vulnerable children and young adults in the city and helps to transition them into adulthood. The children and adult social workers, along with the strengthening family workers within the team have all contributed and set a high standard for teamwork across the organisation. I have seen many great examples of partnership working, leadership, diversity, and a real drive to help those they support.

The team come together several times a week where reflective practice and critical thinking is an area of strength. The implementation of the Family Help Model has enabled the team to connect and support other teams in the city sharing knowledge within the weekly huddles and making referrals into the service much easier. All team members are dedicated to promoting social justice, equality and diversity and all demonstrate a remarkable spirit of commitment and dedication to the children and young adults they support.

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Amazing team - Tamworth Initial Response Team
Tamworth Initial Response Team

Tamworth Initial Response Team are an amazing team at Midlands Partnership Foundation Trust - NHS - Tamworth and have been recognised by Nicola Glover

This by far the most supportive and trusting team I work for. Our manager is able to focus on a business level but knows what work to assign to the right people, making us a very self-motivated team. We are able to adapt to the challenging conditions we face and focus on solutions rather than problems. Each of us have very different personalities, but each one brings different qualities to the team, which coming together makes the perfect fit. We support new colleagues into the team to ensure they feel secure and confident in their new roles. We have a culture of collaboration sharing knowledge and resources with each other and other departments. We have strong working relationships and mutual respect between everyone involved. Hybrid working has been difficult at times, we meet once a week as a whole team, being professional and also having some fun conversations to reduce the stress we all face in our challenging roles. We all have our own work to do and each take responsibility and accountability for our own tasks. We are led by an inspirational and motivating Practise Lead who encourages us to meet personal and team goals with support, empathy, enthusiasm and flexibility.

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Amazing team - West Belfast Adult Learning Disability Team
West Belfast Adult Learning Disability Team

West Belfast Adult Learning Disability Team are an amazing team at BHSCT

As Team Leader, I am nominating the West Belfast Adult Learning Disability Team (WBALDT).  We are a Multidisciplinary Team supporting adults with a learning disability to live independently and safely within the community.  In recent years a number of factors including the COVID 19 pandemic and high profile public inquiries, have had a direct impact on the learning disability service, resulting in a decline in public confidence and difficulty in the recruitment of social workers.

A core team of social workers in the WBALDT remained optimistic and committed to maintaining the support and positive relationships already established in the community.  They continued to positively promote the needs of service users and professional experience that they found both challenging and rewarding in learning disability services.  The team welcomed opportunities for growth, coming together to expand the team and imbed policies, procedures and governance arrangements to demonstrate accountability and improve public confidence through co-production.  Team involvement in student social work training and induction, led to an increase in staff retention.  Testament to the positivity and cohesion of the team has been the return of a consistent number of social work students choosing the WBALDT for permanent employment. 

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Amazing Social Worker - Dr Mark Holloway
Dr Mark Holloway

Mark is an independent social worker at Head First and has been recognised by Ema Jane Bullen

Dr Mark Holloway is an inspiring social worker who tirelessly educates and advocates for acquired brain injury awareness within his profession. As a senior brain injury case manager at Head First, he works closely with families, professionals, and individuals living with acquired brain injury.
Mark is a leading expert witness in this specialised field and a post-doctoral researcher undertaking a professional doctorate entitled Acquired Brain Injury: The lived experience of relatives and friends. His research interests include the neuro-functional approach to rehabilitation and support, family response and experience of brain injury, the use of motivational interviewing, and the impact of executive impairment and reduced insight on functioning. He has authored numerous peer-reviewed academic articles, book chapters, and a book on the Family Experience of brain injury.

Mark is speaker and trainer and he has held a National Institute of Health Research School for Social Care Research Fellowship, serves as a trustee of the Brain Injury Social Work Group, a committee member of the International Social Work and ABI group,  and is an Honorary Assistant Professor at the University of Nottingham's School of Sociology & Social Policy, a visiting lecturer at the University of Plymouth, and is a member of the NICE guidelines writing committee on Neurorehabilitation, and a volunteer dog walker at his local RSPCA.

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Rachel Sensicle

Rachel is an independent social worker at Risk Solutions and has been recognised by Jo Hebb

Rachel has been an outstanding independent social worker for many years providing high quality assessment in respect of sexual risk to the family court.  She is highly sought after by many local authorities when complex issues mean they require an expert report.  She is generous with her time and supports local authority social workers to improve practice and support families.  She delivers bespoke training packages to increase social workers understanding of sexual offending, risk assessment and management.  She goes above and beyond to ensure her clients have a fair and unbiased assessment and are able to access intervention that could help families stay together.  She has safeguarded many children making a positive difference in their lives.

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Amazing Social Workers

  • Amazing Social Workers profiles: Week 1
  • Amazing Social Workers profiles: Week 2
  • Amazing Social Workers profiles: Week 3
  • Amazing Social Workers profiles: Week 4
  • Amazing Social Workers profiles: Week 5

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