Are you thinking of leaving statutory employment and going solo?

Susan Carol 

In the summer of 2020, during lockdown, I made what some might describe as a bold – or even reckless – decision: I became an independent social worker. 

Starting a business in the middle of a global pandemic was not easy, but I have no regrets. The autonomy that comes with being independent has allowed me to practise in a way that truly aligns with my professional values. 

I offer services to private clients and their families, as well as specialist support and advice to organisations and professionals. My work draws on specialist knowledge in mental health and mental capacity, safeguarding adults, and writing reports for the Court of Protection. I also support clients who need help navigating complex health and social care systems or planning for the future. 

One of the key differences between independent social work and local authority practice is flexibility. Local authority social workers operate within statutory thresholds, eligibility criteria and resource constraints. While that work is vital, it can mean that some people fall through the gaps – particularly those who do not meet eligibility criteria but still need support, advice or advocacy. Independent social work can bridge that gap. 

I regularly work with people who want additional support beyond what statutory services can offer, or who need help making sense of systems that feel overwhelming. I complement, rather than replace, local authority services, providing personalised and tailored support that responds to individual circumstances rather than organisational limitations. 

Having spent many years working within local authorities, I have a deep understanding of the pressures faced by health and social care professionals. Caseloads are high, resources are stretched and staff are often working in highly complex situations under intense scrutiny. These pressures can affect morale, wellbeing and retention. 

I strongly believe there is a place for confidential, independent support for social workers themselves. As a former local authority practitioner, I know how valuable it can be to have a safe space to debrief, reflect and receive objective advice. 

Independent support can help social workers process complex cases, explore ethical dilemmas and address workplace stress. In the long term, this kind of support can improve staff retention, reduce sickness and enhance the quality-of-service delivery. 

Realities of working independently 

Independent social work offers freedom, autonomy and the opportunity to focus on work you genuinely enjoy – without becoming consumed by bureaucracy or organisational politics. You can choose who you work with and the type of work you take on, while upholding the highest standards of professional integrity, fairness and empowerment. 

That said, it’s not for the faint-hearted. You are not just a social worker; you are also a business owner. Everything rests with you – finances, governance, marketing, professional development and risk management. 

You must understand what services you can offer, who will pay for them and how to make your work financially sustainable. Otherwise, you risk working extremely hard for very little return.

For me, the transition was gradual. I spent two years working part time while building my independent practice, learning how the business worked and ensuring it was viable before relying on it as my sole income. That period was invaluable and something I would strongly recommend to others considering this path. 

One of the most reassuring aspects of social work is that there is always demand for skilled practitioners. If independent practice does not work out, the option to return to employed work remains. As I often say: nothing ventured, nothing gained. 

Today, I feel privileged to do work that improves people’s quality of life while allowing me to grow and develop professionally. I enjoy expanding my services, collaborating with other professionals and contributing to better outcomes for vulnerable individuals and families. 

Independent social work is not a rejection of local authority practice; it is a complementary and valuable part of the wider social care landscape. For me, it has provided an opportunity to practise social work in a way that is flexible, ethical and deeply rooted in the reasons I joined the profession in the first place.

Susan Carol was named Social Worker of the Year in the 2025/26 North England Prestige Awards

Sally Smith 

If you cut me in half, you would see social work values running right through me: dignity, fairness, and respect. When I came into the profession, I felt strongly about those values, and they have stayed with me ever since. I qualified in the mid-1990s and spent 20 years working in local authority social services, supporting adults and families at difficult points in their lives.

Over time, I turned my focus to supporting carers and families navigating later life. I began to see how much difference timely, values-led support could make in taking pressure off families and offering reassurance, particularly at moments when statutory services were increasingly constrained by time pressures, limited resources, and competing demands.

Setting up I’m Worried About Mum allowed me to work differently. It gave me the flexibility to meet people where they were comfortable to be met. I could be there when they needed me, take time to understand their situation, and help them regain a sense of calm and control as they planned their next steps.

Families invite me into very private, often intimate situations, and that is a privilege. A large part of my work involves helping people feel calmer and more reassured. This often involves being there at the end of the phone, sharing information, and working out what’s possible. 

When families know someone is on their side, someone steady, responsive, and familiar with the system, they are often able to let go of some of the fear and overwhelm they are carrying. From there, we can think more clearly together about what support might help, and when.

I have worked with individuals who were initially resistant to any form of support, but over time, through trust and consistency, were able to accept help that made a meaningful difference to their quality of life. For family carers, that support can also create space for them to step back from constant juggling and return to being sons and daughters again.

Supporting people through periods of change gently, collaboratively, and respectfully is at the heart of what independent social work looks like for me.

What I find most rewarding is the sense of empowerment it brings for families. I encourage carers to recognise that they do not have to do everything alone. Families can move out of crisis mode, feel more confident in their decisions, and regain a sense of control over what is happening. Seeing that shift remains one of the most meaningful parts of the work.

Working independently also brings challenges. As a paid service, I am not always able to support everyone who might benefit, and learning to accept those limits, while still offering signposting and guidance, is important. The work can also carry emotional weight, making boundaries, reflection, and supervision essential.

Top tips for going independent

• Build experience first. Independent work draws heavily on judgement, confidence, and professional grounding. Time in statutory services is invaluable.
• Be clear on your values and boundaries. Knowing how you want to work and where your limits are matters as much as technical skill.
• Make it easy for the right families to find you. Help people understand what you offer and how to access your support. This is all part of running a sustainable business.
• Stay within your area of expertise whenever possible. Consider the work that only you can do. Being clear about where you add most value helps you delegate and avoid stretching yourself too thin.
• Build a trusted professional network within and outside your industry. This might include other social workers, local community organisations, charities, or networking groups. Having people to talk to, learn from, and signpost to reduces isolation, increases confidence, and strengthens the support you can offer families.

When I started my independent practice, I had a vision of the kind of service I wanted to provide. Building that has shown me that this approach to social work is possible, sustainable, and deeply rewarding.

Sally Smith was a finalist in the Lifetime Achievement Award category of the 2025 Social Worker of the Year Award for her contributions to independent social work and community support