List of committee member candidates (4 vacancies)
- Angela Mareverwa
- Jaquelle Wellington
- Leonard Agere
- Leslie Snowden
- Michelle Simpson
- Moses Olaniran
Candidate statements
Read their candidate statements below before voting for your preferred candidates.
Angela Mareverwa
I am a dedicated Social Worker and Social Work Manager with 11 years of experience, including extensive management experience. I have worked across Assessment & Referral, MASH, Children & Advice Duty Service and 0-25 Children with Disabilities teams. Have completed over 200 court assessments.
Throughout my career, I have undertaken a broad range of assessments, as outlined above. I am proficient in completing Form F Assessments and initial visits for prospective carers, including presenting to panels. I have also conducted risk assessments in relation to registered sex offenders to identify risks posed to their own children and those of their extended family members. I have acquired significant court experience, including producing reports and giving evidence in Private Law and Care Proceedings and producing statements on behalf of the local authority to support Care Proceedings (S7, S37, SGO).
Adept in collaborating with a broad range of partner agencies, like Cafcass, solicitors, children’s guardians, drug & alcohol services and mental health professionals. I have chaired a variety of meetings, including Child in Need, Core Group, Discharge Planning and Public Law Outline Meetings. I am trained in Child Protection, Child Sexual and Criminal Exploitation and Domestic Abuse. Particular specialism in Domestic Abuse and Cultural Competency.
Throughout my career, I have worked with children and families from a diverse range of cultures, particularly those of African descent and ethnic minority backgrounds. I would now like to expand my knowledge and expertise in being a committee members and hope to participate and contribute towards the implementation BASW England Development Plan.
Areas of Interest/Practice:
- Influencing policy in social work practice
- Child protection and safeguarding
- Domestic Abuse Champion
- CUBAS licenced assessor
- Court Work
- Assessment work
- Promoting equality and diversity
- promoting anti discriminatory practice
- Promote the social work profession
Jaquelle Wellington
I am qualified childrens and families social worker with nearly 10 years’ experience working for the Local Authority and in a school setting. I currently sit on senior management as a DSL for a leading independent school and believe I am the first social worker in the UK to be employed by a private school. I am systemically trained and utilise these skills when working with families as well as within supervision. As the DSL and mental health lead, I am responsible for various items, including policy updates, risk assessments, working with the LADO, all staff safeguarding training, whistleblowing and case management. Given my work environment, I have a unique insight into affluent neglect, and it is an area that I'd love to research and bring more attention to. Beyond my day-to-day work, I am very passionate about social justice, and I am member of the Anti-Racist Movement (A.R.M) which is a finalist for the Social Work Awards 2024.
Areas of Interest/Practice:
Since graduating in 2016, I have predominantly worked with adolescents, initially for the Local Authority and currently within an independent school setting. I am very interested in contextual safeguarding and online harm. In addition to this, having now practised for four years in an independent school, I have become interested in affluent neglect and believe that this area is currently neglected, permitting many children to experience harm without intervention and for wealthy parents to utilise their power and connections to avoid Services.
Leonard Agere
I have 15 years’ experience of working up to Child protection and Best Interests Lead in Children’s Social work. My safeguarding experience has included a broad range of work with children and families including child protection, children in need, looked after children, early intervention and prevention and referral and assessment work. This includes demonstrable knowledge and experience of working with children, young people, and their families to formulate, implement, monitor, and evaluate effectiveness of planning and support, promoting the safety of young people.
I have experience building and sustaining close working partnerships with government agencies and national stakeholders through active sharing of information and knowledge to facilitate programme implementation and build capacity of stakeholders to achieve and sustain results on child protection. As a Team Leader, I have good conflict resolution and decision-making skills and good knowledge of social care legal frameworks. I have experience providing professional technical, operational, and administrative assistance throughout the programming process for child protection projects through the application of theoretical and technical skills in researching, collecting, analysing, and presenting technical programme information.
I undertake research and possess knowledge and skills in formulation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of relief and development projects and programmes with non-governmental organisations with experience of independent and consultancy work for non-governmental organisations. This has included extensive experience in training, mentoring, assessing and capacity building in different contexts.
International social work experience: Zimbabwe, South Africa, and United Kingdom
Areas of Interest/Practice:
I hold a PhD in Social Work and have served on the National Advisory Forum with Social Work England, where I collaborated on developing projects and sub-groups, including advising on how the regulator should engage with people who have an interest in social work. As part of a progressive team, I made impactful recommendations to senior and executive leadership regarding the regulator’s influence on the social work sector. I have a special interest in continuous professional development and write and publish manuscripts on different issues like community development, children's rights and child sensitive budgeting in developing countries. My academic contributions include writing and publishing manuscripts in accredited journals, book chapters and presenting at international conferences in Rwanda and Uganda.
My career started as a social worker in a program for orphaned and vulnerable children and youth affected by HIV/AIDS in Harare, Zimbabwe and continued by working in the area of child focused programming, community development and advocacy in Johannesburg, South Africa and safeguarding and promoting tangible outcomes for children with disabilities in the United Kingdom. My hope for the future is to continue contributing to the program and policy development and mainstreaming of child rights and protection (both locally and internationally) where I will have the opportunity to learn and further grow, as well as demonstrate my technical knowledge, experience and practical skills in (a) providing leadership in the areas of public policy development in the area of child wellbeing/rights/ protection( b) develop further expertise in the area of public policy development and advocacy (c) in mobilizing resources and capacities in nurturing and strengthening relationships/partnerships around rights for the most vulnerable groups.
Leslie Snowden
Over my many years in social work practice, I believe I have developed a variety of experience, skills, knowledge and learning from others, that I would like to use to contribute to the future work of the BASW National Standing Committee. I have developed strong written and verbal communication skills and the ability to be a good listener. I have developed a flexible, responsive approach and a great deal of experience of working as a team player.
Over my career I have gained knowledge and experience in adult social care, particularly in work with people with learning disabilities and their families. I have had the opportunity to strengthen my skills and knowledge in the area of adult safeguarding, risk and duty management, by being a Safeguarding Adults Manager and Duty Manager for many years. For much of my career, a particular area of interest for me has been working with parents who have learning disabilities. I have recent experience of contributing to the development and presentation of in-house training, for Children's Services Social Workers, around approaches to working with parents with learning disabilities.
My work as a Practitioner and Team Manager has enabled me to gain experience and develop my skills in complex court work. I have developed my leadership and mentoring skills over the years. I greatly value my many years of supporting Social Workers and Health Professionals and all my learning that has come from this, through formal and informal supervision.
As a Senior Practitioner and a Team Manager, I had many opportunities to be part of the strategic planning, implementation and learning within an integrated service and within a wider adult social care service. One opportunity, in which I gained a lot of learning was when I was able to contribute to a wider adult social care working committee, to update the supervision policy and practice approach, to encourage more consistently reflective social work supervision.
I have been a member of BASW for over ten years and continue to be very committed to the progression and development of Social Work and Social Workers and to making a difference to the service users and families we work with. I am enthusiastic about the possibility of having the opportunity to contribute my skills, knowledge and experience to promoting and advocating for social work and social workers, on the BASW National Standing Committee.
Areas of Interest/Practice:
I am a registered Social Worker, who qualified in 1993. I continue to be passionate about the profession of social work and supporting people who use services and their families and supporting the development of fellow Social Workers.
I have many years of experience working with vulnerable adults, who have learning disabilities, mental health challenges, physical and sensory challenges, complex health needs and their carers and families. I enjoyed working for eighteen years as a Social Worker, Senior Practitioner and then a Team Manager, within an integrated, multidisciplinary adults learning disability service within London. Recently, I have taken early retirement from the post of Team Manager and am taking my next steps towards part time work.
I hold qualifications as a Practice Educator and as a Best Interest Assessor. A central interest within my recent practice has been drawing on my qualification and experience as a Practice Educator, to encourage and mentor Social Workers and Health Professionals, within their practice and progress within their professions.
Supervision, in all its forms and working on its further development for Social Workers, with a variety of colleagues, continues to be very much a focus of mine. I believe it is so integral to effective social work practice and individual and team wellbeing. It can strengthen the support that Social Workers are able to provide for the people who use services and their families.
Connected to this, I am very interested in the centrality and power of relationships within social work and making them count. Developing positive working relationships with service users and their families, colleagues, other services and networks is of key importance within good social work practice.
I continue to be committed to and work to further develop my understanding around equality and diversity and inclusivity and to continue to strengthen my anti-discriminatory social work practice. I remain committed to the social work values and they have always provided a supported basis for me to build on my practice as a Social Worker.
Michelle Simpson
I have over 16 years of experience within a variety of settings in both the statutory and voluntary sectors. This work has included using evidence-based protocols and interventions whilst working with children who have included fostered children, care leavers and their foster carers. When planning, delivering and evaluating these interventions I have worked in partnership with children, their parents and carers. Throughout my career, I have ensured that I represent not only the children and families I am supporting but also the service. Throughout my career, I have sought to evidence my ability to maintain my professionalism and reputation. By undertaking training including academic study, I have kept up to date with best practices, research and legislation. I am committed to ensuring my practice and the practice of others is child-centred and I am keen to work within an organisation that attaches the same importance to improving practice as I do.
I have a solid knowledge of legal frameworks such as the Children Act 1989, Care Standards Act 2000, Fostering Services Regulations (2011) and the Fostering National Minimum Standards (2011). These and other key pieces of policy and legislation underpin my practice as a supervising social worker. They have also underpinned my practice throughout my career in roles that included a social worker within statutory Child Protection and Looked After Children’s teams. Presently, I ensure I use my supervisory relationship to support carers to meet the national minimum standards. Where I have reason to suspect a standard has not been met, I will aim to identify why and take steps to support and implement changes.
I have acted as a panel member and advisor for a local safeguarding board. I am also a member of a fostering panel in my current role.
Throughout my career, as a social worker, I have continued to evidence my ability to identify and implement safeguarding policies. This has also included sharing information relating to a child or adult with the appropriate safeguarding departments and participating in multiagency working. Where necessary I have also implemented escalation policies to appropriately challenge decisions and achieve a better outcome for children and families.
I would relish the opportunity to support the work of BASW.
Areas of Interest/Practice:
My current areas of practice is with fostering and children in care.
My career has involved working within safeguarding, child exploitation and sexual abuse services.
My areas of interest included children who display harmful sexual behaviour, developing practice amongst professionals and foster carers to support children affected by sexual abuse and harmful sexual behaviour.
I am also interested in developing my skills to deliver DDP to foster carers.
Moses Olaniran
I hold a BSc in Psychology, an MA in Mental Health, and an MSc in Social Work. With over a decade of experience, I am a certified practice educator, and a dedicated leader committed to fostering professional growth. My diverse background includes working in multicultural environments such as Lambeth, Redbridge, and Bexley. Currently, I serve as the Service Manager for the Child Protection Chairs and Independent Reviewing Service in Bexley. I am an accredited coach and mentor by the European Mentoring & Coaching Council (EMCC) and recently earned accreditation in Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion from the University of Greenwich. In May 2023, I received the Frontline Fellowship Award for my dedication to anti-racist practice, leadership, and innovation.
Over the past four years, I have managed services in two different capacities, acquiring skills and knowledge essential for delivering high-quality, cost-effective services. I excel in promoting evidence-based professional practice, providing management oversight, and motivating teams to achieve excellence. My strategic planning experience enhances service coordination within statutory and non-statutory settings, ensuring all interventions align with the Council’s Safety Valve Programme. I have successfully overseen significant budgets, implementing cost-effective practices while maintaining high standards.
My career is defined by a commitment to collaboration with colleagues, partner agencies, and organisations, adopting a holistic One Council approach. My strategic plans have consistently improved service outcomes for vulnerable populations, ensuring customer-focused services that provide excellent value for money. Leadership and staff development are my strengths; I have guided teams through significant organisational changes, emphasising professional growth and support.
I possess a comprehensive understanding of relevant legislation, statutory guidance, standards, and procedures in children's social work. My leadership style is compassionate and supportive, particularly during challenging times such as the current global pandemic. I am committed to maintaining high standards of service delivery and promoting a learning environment where colleagues are held accountable and encouraged to uphold good practice standards. I look forward to contributing to the strategic direction of the Committee’s activities within the overall policy framework of BASW England.
In line with the Committee Member role description, I am dedicated to representing the views of BASW England members, liaising effectively to ensure their perspectives are heard. I am committed to actively participating in Committee meetings and contributing to the development and implementation of the BASW England Development Plan. My experience in promoting equality and diversity aligns with the role's requirement to uphold these values within the Association.
I will contribute to consultations and national and local policy forums, taking a lead on designated work as agreed by the Committee. My leadership experience will support the recruitment and retention of members and promote their engagement in designated activities. I am prepared to mentor and support new committee members, ensuring a smooth transition and continuity in the Committee's work. Furthermore, I am an effective communicator with strong presentation skills, ready to represent the Committee at key national and local conferences and events. My specialist knowledge in social work, policy development, and management will be valuable in shaping and influencing the BASW England Development Plan, ensuring it aligns with the overall policy framework of BASW.
Areas of Interest/Practice:
I am passionate about social work and dedicated to improving the lives of vulnerable individuals. I am committed to inclusivity, anti-racist and anti-discriminatory practices, equal opportunities, and embracing diversity, an area I got an award on in 2023. I uphold high standards in frontline practice and prioritize meaningful relationships. With proven leadership skills and a commitment to ethical practice, I am eager to shape and influence the future work of the BASW England Committee. Additionally, I am keen to advocate for the profession through active campaigning.