Profiles
31 March
Practice educators
1 April
Students
2 April
Amazing teams
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.
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:
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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! 😊
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!
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!
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.