Consultant Social Worker (RACE) Wales & the Cymuned Unedig

Gallwch ddarllen y dudalen hon yn y Gymraeg hefyd.

The Cymuned Unedig is a community for Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic voices in social work in Wales 

(for social workers, student social workers, social work managers and social work academics).   

The Black and Asian Social Workers Professional Forum provides a vital space for connection, reflection and solidarity. It offers a safe and affirming community where lived experiences are understood and respected. A place to share challenges, celebrate strengths, influence change, and be supported both personally and professionally. Together, we create a space to thrive in a system that we are actively working to make more just, inclusive and anti-racist. 

To get involved or for more information, please email Singeta.Kalhan-Gregory@basw.co.uk. 

More about the role of Consultant Social Worker (Race) Wales

The role was developed after a series of listening events held by Albert Heaney, Chief Social Care Officer for Wales. With over 300 participants attending from diverse backgrounds (professionals, people with lived experience, service users, carers, racially minoritised groups and sector leaders), this post was commissioned following identifiable concerns regarding the significant gap between the principles of the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014, and people’s lived experience. The Act remains widely valued as a foundation for rights-based, person-centred practice. However, participants also highlighted that translating this vision into everyday practice remains a significant and shared challenge across the sector. 

There was strong recognition of the dedication shown by social work leaders and practitioners under increasing pressure. At the same time, people shared honest reflections about the need to strengthen anti-racist and culturally responsive approaches, ensure more consistent standards across Wales, and build on current efforts to improve the use of disaggregated data and lived-experience insight. Participants called for visible leadership, reflective and emotionally intelligent supervision, and a collective focus on embedding racial equity at every level of practice.  

The key function of this role is to support the delivery of Welsh Government’s Anti-Racist Wales Action Plan (ArWAP) (2020 & 2024 update) in relation to social work and social work practice. Primarily this will focus on:  

• Development of social work practice to support and develop improved service delivery for racially minoritised individuals, families and communities. This will include advising on the delivery of social work practice and the professional development of those working in the sector to ensure the development of practice in working with individuals at risk of disadvantage based on ethnic origin. Thereby, supporting communities to improve the service they receive, and identify improvement and reform for the sector based on effective policies and procedures, strong evidence and robust data.
• Development and support for the workforce – to  support the development of a culturally competent and confident, anti-racist workforce through embedding anti-racist training and leadership development, with a focus on cultural literacy and understanding at every level. Supporting and reviewing enhanced data systems to track workforce diversity, equity, and progression — enabling organisations to monitor impact and address disparities. Supporting inclusive career pathways for racially minoritised staff into senior roles, targeted workforce training plans, and specific support structures for racially minoritised social workers.
• Advise and support in the development and implementation of impact assessment, local anti racist plans and service evaluations.
• Champion anti-racist social work practice across Wales - advising on delivery of social work practice and professional development of practice when working with individuals at risk of disadvantage based on ethnicity.   

To achieve this, the role will:  

• Engage strategically at Director and leadership level, to influence, and support systemic change.
• Work with professionals and representative professional bodies, ADSS, Social Care Wales, CIW, HIW, Local Authorities and WLGA to raise awareness, improve knowledge, identify training opportunities and demonstrate success through impact assessments and evaluations in service delivery. 
• Identify and promote measures which support the experience of racially minoritised individuals in the workforce.
• Identify and promote training, good practice and guidance that supports care needs of racialised communities
• Improve professional confidence and cultural competence in service delivery
• Evaluate and evidence the impact of anti-racist interventions  

Importantly, the work and post will be supported by a network comprising people with lived experience, regulators and stakeholder partners. 

About Singeta Kalhan-Gregory  

Singeta is a dynamic and experienced social work leader, combining high-level strategic insight and operational expertise with extensive frontline experience. 

A qualified social worker since 1995, she brings over 25 years of impact across the UK — from London to Norfolk, Nottingham to Wales — holding both frontline and senior leadership roles in statutory services, the third sector, and higher education. 

Her expertise spans: 

• Fostering and adoption
• Mental health and youth justice
• Therapeutic practice
• Social work education and workforce reform 

She has led complex systems change and cultural transformation across public services, while always staying rooted in values-led practice. 

Alongside her social work leadership, Singeta is a qualified solicitor and a highly experienced integrative counsellor and psychotherapist, having worked therapeutically with children, families, and adults across London and Cardiff. 

Her unique career blends policy, practice, and people — making her a powerful advocate for anti-racist social work and systemic change at every level.