Our My Brilliant Colleague series invites you to celebrate anyone who has inspired you in your career. It is part of Community Care’s ongoing Choose Social Work campaign, which aims to champion the brilliant work social workers do every day and inspire the next generation of practitioners.

In this entry, Debbie Elsheikh, service manager of Salford council’s workforce learning and development team, celebrates workforce development officer Vicky Wright.

She praises Vicky for ‘revolutionising’ practitioners’ approach to life story work, embedding it earlier in the process of their practice with children.

Vicky is the most creative person I know and highly passionate about children and supporting staff.

I recently involved her in a project to improve our life story work and she went over and above in what she did.

She listened and collaborated with staff, who told us that they needed help with templates and asked that the work started earlier in the journey of the child. Vicky responded to the need.

She did not just create one template for life story work, she created three for under-10s and three for over-10s, to support children at different stages of their journey. The templates are beautifully presented.

Some cover examples of Vicky’s life story books for social workers. Photo by Debbie Elsheikh

Vicky thought long and hard about what the social workers needed, given that they are busy and time-poor, but we want them to start life story work earlier.

She designed the books to be used for direct work and for getting to know the children, as well as for life story work. This meant social workers were not doing additional work, but had tools to use at each stage with children.

When she launched the project, she did a briefing and was so enthusiastic and passionate that practitioners immediately seemed to take on board what she said.

They loved the child-focused templates and we have seen beautiful examples of work since.

Vicky has really revolutionised the way we work in Salford. Her passion and talent have shone through and impressed not just us, but also colleagues in Greater Manchester.

She has gone above and beyond her original ask and given her whole heart to the project, because she wants to better the lives of children.

We are very proud of her!

How to nominate a colleague

You can nominate anyone who has inspired you in your career – whether current or former colleagues, managers, students, lecturers, mentors or prominent past or present sector figures whom you have admired from afar.

Nominate your colleague or social work inspiration by filling in our nominations form with a letter or a few paragraphs (100-250 words) explaining how and why the person has inspired you.

*Despite the need to provide your name and role, you or the nominee can be anonymous in the published entry.*

If you have any questions, email our community journalist, Anastasia Koutsounia, at anastasia.koutsounia@markallengroup.com.

Our My Brilliant Colleague series invites you to celebrate anyone who has inspired you in your career.

In this entry, Tony Mushrow celebrates his manager, Sarah Humphray, and her work within Sefton’s Team Around The School initiative, a collaboration between schools and a range of professionals focused on delivering early help to families.

Dear Sarah,

I have today nominated you for My Brilliant Colleague for several reasons. All jokes aside, I think you have been brilliant with Team Around The School (TAS).

You have worked tirelessly to improve this new service and bring in changes that will benefit the children and families we work with across Sefton. 

We know this has not been easy and you have had to manage pushback from both schools and partner agencies.

You have led on several new initiatives and had a hand in everything – from the logo and the referral process to creating a handbook for families, schools and partner agencies that explains our work.

I came into post a couple of months after you joined and, although busy with your own role, you found the time to support me, taking me out to meet staff, involving me in meetings and being there for me when I struggled with understanding this new structure and service. 

You always find the time to help and support both the staff on the team and those in partner agencies.

Your organisation and presentation about TAS to the new cluster was brilliant.

There were a couple of hundred people in that room, including local councillors, senior managers, the head of service and the director of children’s services. Yet you remained confident, informative, relatable and personable throughout – all the things you need to be a brilliant communicator.

At 59, I have been in social work for 25 years and, to be honest, was feeling quite burnt out and flat about my old post.

But working with you and witnessing your enthusiasm, dynamic energy, focus and drive has definitely inspired me to work harder and do better.

I want to learn more, do more, and help and support you to transform Team Around The School into an even better service for the children and families within Sefton.

Thank you, Sarah. Keep being the brilliant you.

How to nominate a colleague

You can nominate anyone who has inspired you in your career – whether current or former colleagues, managers, students, lecturers, mentors or prominent past or present sector figures whom you have admired from afar.

Nominate your colleague or social work inspiration by filling in our nominations form with a letter or a few paragraphs (100-250 words) explaining how and why the person has inspired you.

*Despite the need to provide your name and role, you or the nominee can be anonymous in the published entry.*

If you have any questions, email our community journalist, Anastasia Koutsounia, at anastasia.koutsounia@markallengroup.com.

Our My Brilliant Colleague series invites you to celebrate anyone who has inspired you in your career.

In this entry, mental health practitioner Sam celebrates her manager, Claire, who, despite knowing her for a short time, has supported her throughout major life and professional changes.

I would like to nominate my senior and new manager, Claire.

I’ve recently started with a new mental health team, started a social work apprenticeship and left my abusive husband.

Claire has stuck by me, supporting me personally and in my work and apprenticeship – she has been completely wonderful! This is despite her only knowing me for a relatively short period of time.

Her support while I got acclimatised to a new role, studying and making it through personal hurdles, enabled me to feel supported and valued.

I believe she’s gone above and beyond for me. But I know she consistently does this for other colleagues and offers the same support to the people on her caseload.

Claire is an excellent person, a wonderful social worker and manager.

How to nominate a colleague

You can nominate anyone who has inspired you in your career – whether current or former colleagues, managers, students, lecturers, mentors or prominent past or present sector figures whom you have admired from afar.

Nominate your colleague or social work inspiration by filling in our nominations form with a letter or a few paragraphs (100-250 words) explaining how and why the person has inspired you.

*Despite the need to provide your name and role, you or the nominee can be anonymous in the published entry.*

If you have any questions, email our community journalist, Anastasia Koutsounia, at anastasia.koutsounia@markallengroup.com.

Our My Brilliant Colleague series invites you to celebrate anyone who has inspired you in your career.

In this entry, Jane Mathew-Byrne celebrates Farrukh Akhtar, who was the head of the social work course where she used to work as a senior lecturer.

She describes Farrukh as a leader and mentor who understood “the emotional and professional toll of the pandemic” and was able to foster resilience and adaptability during a crucial time.

During the challenging lockdown period and beyond, the head of my BA social work course played a pivotal role in guiding and mentoring me as a senior lecturer.

She has also been a valuable sounding board in my role as the lead for placement allocation, always making time to discuss placement dilemmas.

Her support extended beyond professional advice, as she encouraged me to stretch my capabilities and discover new potential within myself. Her mentorship is marked by her ability to foster resilience and adaptability, which were crucial during the transition to remote teaching and learning.

She consistently challenged me to step out of my comfort zone, whether it was by adopting innovative teaching methods or pursuing professional development opportunities.

She introduced me to fresh perspectives on pedagogy and research, inspiring me to approach problems creatively. Her constructive feedback and encouragement helped me refine my skills in areas I may otherwise have overlooked.

What stands out most is her empathetic leadership. She understood the emotional and professional toll of the pandemic and provided unwavering support. Whether it was through virtual check-ins or sharing resources, she ensured I felt valued and motivated.

Her mentorship not only enhanced my confidence but also empowered me to mentor others effectively. Her guidance has and continues to be transformative, helping me grow both personally and professionally.

Her belief in my abilities inspired me to embrace challenges with optimism, leaving a lasting impact on my career trajectory.

How to nominate a colleague

You can nominate anyone who has inspired you in your career – whether current or former colleagues, managers, students, lecturers, mentors or prominent past or present sector figures whom you have admired from afar.

Nominate your colleague or social work inspiration by filling in our nominations form with a letter or a few paragraphs (100-250 words) explaining how and why the person has inspired you.

*Despite the need to provide your name and role, you or the nominee can be anonymous in the published entry.*

If you have any questions, email our community journalist, Anastasia Koutsounia, at anastasia.koutsounia@markallengroup.com.

Our My Brilliant Colleague series invites you to celebrate anyone who has inspired you in your career.

In this entry, corporate safeguarding lead Natalie Stanley from Birmingham City Council, celebrates her mentor, social worker and independent safeguarding specialist Maria Barnett.

She describes Maria as a source of inspiration, expertise and kindness, who always sees the potential of those she works with.

Since I began working with Maria four months ago, her exceptional skills, dedication and compassion have made an enormous impact on my personal and professional growth.

While Maria has been a dedicated social worker for decades, her mentoring, guidance and unwavering support these past few months have been transformative for me and countless others.

Her wealth of experience in social work, coupled with her genuine care for others, has been a source of inspiration. Her extensive knowledge of the field is evident not only in her work, but also in her ability to simplify complex situations and offer practical advice.

What sets Maria apart is her unique approach to mentorship.

She listens with empathy, shares her insights without judgment and empowers others to grow.”

From the beginning, she has shown a deep commitment to my development. She has patiently guided me through challenging moments, offering advice that has helped me navigate both personal and professional challenges.

Her ability to connect on a human level, to see the potential in those she works with, is remarkable. I have grown not just as a professional but as an individual, and I attribute much of that to Maria’s mentorship.

Maria’s influence also reaches far beyond our work together. She has always been a compassionate advocate for those in need, and her legacy as a mentor, a leader, and a supporter continues to ripple through the lives of everyone she touches.

For these reasons, I strongly believe Maria deserves to be recognised. Her selflessness, expertise and kindness are qualities that have enriched my life, and I am sure others have been equally blessed by her guidance and mentorship.

How to nominate a colleague

You can nominate anyone who has inspired you in your career – whether current or former colleagues, managers, students, lecturers, mentors or prominent past or present sector figures whom you have admired from afar.

Nominate your colleague or social work inspiration by filling in our nominations form with a letter or a few paragraphs (100-250 words) explaining how and why the person has inspired you.

Despite the need to provide your name and role, you or the nominee can be anonymous in the published entry.

If you have any questions, email our community journalist, Anastasia Koutsounia, at anastasia.koutsounia@markallengroup.com.

by Isabelle Trowler

Some of you will have known and admired Sue very much; some of you will have heard of Sue by reputation.

More of you will have heard of the family safeguarding model – the practice framework for children’s social care that Sue tirelessly developed and helped scale up across England over the past 10 years.

‘She knew how intense and emotional the work can be’

Sue cared – a lot – about children and their families, but she also cared a lot about social work. She knew how highly skilled, intense and emotional the work can be.

She knew that social work can be frequently frightening, frustrating, worrying and deeply rewarding. It requires depth of thought and a generosity of spirit, resilience, enormous creativity and an ability to hold extensive power.

It is why she set out to create a practice framework that helped anchor the practitioner within a set of values and skills and which offers clarity of purpose.

The new statutory Children’s Social Care National Framework for England and the government’s reform programme for family help and child protection reflect much of Sue’s ambition for our sector. This is her proud legacy.

‘She had the courage and determination to drive through change’

Sue Williams was recognised for her outstanding contribution to children and families in the 2024 Frontline Awards (photo by Frontline)

I chair the children’s social care national practice group, which is a multidisciplinary, multi-agency group of experts whose role is to set the practice direction for local authority social worker. As a member of the group, Sue was always there banging her drum relentlessly and shamelessly!

Even when Sue became increasingly unwell, she still came because she had a point to make. And this is what I loved about her. Her tenacity and grace for what she believed to be right were second to none.

We have come a very long way since I sat on the Department for Education’s innovation board about 10 years ago and saw that twinkle in Sue’s eye.

Not long after, we took a punt and invested in her family safeguarding framework in Hertfordshire, where she had worked for many years.

Sue had that crucial courage, conviction, energy, insight and determination to drive through these kinds of changes; changes that will stick and make a positive difference for years to come.

‘Sue was a social worker through and through’

Many of us reading this will be deeply affected by Sue’s death because, even though you might not have known her personally, you may recognise her work in your own practice.

You will certainly recognise many of Sue’s attributes – because this is what makes you a good practitioner.

Sue was a social worker through and through. She loved our profession.

Even though her loss will be greatly felt, there is surely solace that Sue lived a purposeful life, making a positive, significant and lasting difference.

I know that Sue’s son will read this – never was there a son more loved – and I hope it offers him and his family some solace too.

Sue Williams died on 5 January 2025 at the age of 69. Her family have shared that donations to the Trussell Trust, Cancer Research UK or Arthur Rank Hospice would be much appreciated in her memory.

Our My Brilliant Colleague series invites you to celebrate anyone who has inspired you in your career.

In this entry, social worker Yvonne Perkins celebrates the life of her former practice educator, Stewart Russell, whose ongoing guidance throughout the years built her career to where it is now.

To Stewart Russell,

Today we said farewell to you. Probably a hundred people were there to celebrate your life and share their stories of knowing you.

Around 15 years ago, you became my practice educator, when a senior social worker in a care leaver team.

You were bubby and passionate, but had a devious twinkle in your eyes. During our pre-placement meeting, you set out the objectives of the team and provided me with my first challenge – ‘find all your young people and bring them back to the city’.

Challenge accepted; and within six months, every young person on my caseload was found, back in the city and working with us.

That was because you taught me how to adapt my approach so I could engage young people better. You showed me the fine line between pleasant banter and educating young people, and how to be creative with it.

You often spoke of building futures and laying foundations, but what I didn’t know then is that applied to me just as much as to our young people.

You set the foundation blocks of my career. You showed patience during my frustrations and humour during my anxiety, and provided comfort when I experienced personal loss.

Your nurturing chats during my placement and ongoing guidance helped me hone and cement my skills, while your wisdom guided me as I built my career to where it is now.

My parting gift from my placement was a crystal light shade; this was to remind me to always look up and see the sparkles and possibilities the light holds.

I will never underestimate the value of an amazing practice educator or the impact one can have on a someone’s career.

As a team manager with students of my own, I hope to do just that for others.

How to nominate a colleague

You can nominate anyone who has inspired you in your career – whether current or former colleagues, managers, students, lecturers, mentors or prominent past or present sector figures whom you have admired from afar.

Nominate your colleague or social work inspiration by filling in our nominations form with a letter or a few paragraphs (100-250 words) explaining how and why the person has inspired you.

Despite the need to provide your name and role, you or the nominee can be anonymous in the published entry.

If you have any questions, email our community journalist, Anastasia Koutsounia, at anastasia.koutsounia@markallengroup.com.

Our My Brilliant Colleague series invites you to celebrate anyone who has inspired you in your career.

In this entry, newly qualified social worker Anjali Singhal celebrates the team manager who, “without judgement”, supported her through the learning and struggles of her assessed and supported year in employment (ASYE).

This is about my team manager, Nasreen Agal.

I recently completed my assessed and supported year in employment (ASYE) and I was lucky to be in the same team that I had completed my placement in.

I was lucky enough to also remain with the same team manager, Nasreen.

Nasreen is always available to listen – whether it is about personal or professional need – and will always go above and beyond to help.

In one of my cases, I was pushing myself only because I thought it was needed for my career development, and she asked me to sit and reflect if I was ready for this. She provided me support without any judgment and allowed me the time to work on the areas I was struggling with.

She has always been open in her communication and expects honesty in return. There is no micromanagement; instead, she places ownership and responsibility on the professionals while always being available to guide and help them.

Her consideration extends beyond working hours too. Whenever we complete visits in the evening, she ensures that we all confirm we have reached home safely (we have a WhatsApp group for the team).

Thank you Nasreen.

How to nominate a colleague

You can nominate anyone who has inspired you in your career – whether current or former colleagues, managers, students, lecturers, mentors or prominent past or present sector figures whom you have admired from afar.

Nominate your colleague or social work inspiration by filling in our nominations form with a letter or a few paragraphs (100-250 words) explaining how and why the person has inspired you.

Despite the need to provide your name and role, you or the nominee can be anonymous in the published entry.

If you have any questions, email our community journalist, Anastasia Koutsounia, at anastasia.koutsounia@markallengroup.com.

Note: There is a poll embedded within this post, please visit the site to participate in this post's poll.
At the start of this year, we launched our My Brilliant Colleague series, to enable social workers to champion the achievements of those they work with.

Amid the challenges the sector continues to face, we wanted to create a space for practitioners to celebrate one another; a series that would serve as a reminder that practitioners’ impact extends beyond those they support, to include those they work alongside with.

Through this series, we’ve shared stories of inspiring social work mentors and managers, practitioners who’ve gone above and beyond to support their colleagues, and practice educators whose kindness and guidance have shaped entire careers.

Here are some highlights from our 2024 cohort:

The social work mentor who ‘speaks truth to power’

Pictured: Tricia Pereira

Dear Tricia,

I really admire your passion for social work.

The way you mentor others is truly inspiring. Your leadership by example has been instrumental in my own development as a leader.

You have installed in me, and many others, a deep appreciation for diversity and the importance of respecting others’ beliefs.

Your ability to dedicate your time and attention to individuals, even amidst your busy schedule, is a testament to your compassion and commitment.

It’s clear that this genuine care for others is deeply rooted in your values.

I remember a situation at work when your unwavering commitment to fairness and professionalism led you to expose a serious issue, even when it meant facing isolation from senior management.

Your courage to confront injustice, despite potential backlash, is truly inspiring. You’ve demonstrated the importance of speaking truth to power.

Read the full letter here.

The social work assistant who became ‘the glue that holds the team together’

Pictured: Charlotte

Charlotte has been with the team for five years, employed as a social work assistant, and is now in the final year of her social work degree.

We would like to highlight her as a brilliant colleague, not only for the incredible person-centred work she completes with individuals, but also for being a source of fun and support for all members of the team.

In her time with us, Charlotte has successfully managed a number of complex cases. This has included a case of extreme self-neglect, where she deftly navigated difficult situations alongside the family and other professionals with charm and empathy.

Read the full letter here.

A social worker celebrates the life and influence of her late mentor

Photo by Nicola Silk

Pat,

It was almost 16 years to the day I met you.

Me, a newly qualified social worker at a time without protected caseloads or formal mentoring, and you, a strong-minded, opinionated and experienced child protection conference chair.

I was told to come to you for support in writing a conference report for a family whose social worker had been off sick. This started 16 years of mentorship, advice and friendship that moved out of the workplace and intertwined with our personal lives.

You welcomed me and my husband into your home and family, something I have valued over the years.

I have never taken for granted your wisdom, in fact I have more than once called you my social work inspiration. Over the years, whenever I sought your advice, you were always keen to listen, tease out my thoughts and help me come to a solution. I know this is what you did for many.

Read the full letter here.

The social worker who went the extra mile for his colleague’s son

My fantastic colleague and lifelong friend, Eric, driven by compassion and dedication, generously sacrificed his precious free time to audit a crucial file for my son’s PTSD claim.

He researched, meticulously, into the complexities of the case, scrutinising and examining every document and piece of evidence. Despite the demanding nature of the task, he approached it with unwavering commitment and professionalism.

He skillfully navigated through the intricacies of my son’s file. His thorough analysis uncovered critical information that strengthened the case, providing invaluable support in my son’s journey towards receiving assistance and care.

Even after scrutinising the file, Eric went above and beyond by writing a comprehensive report, drawing upon his wealth of knowledge and experience and leaving no stone unturned.

Read the full letter here.

A former child in care remembers her social worker

Her name is Charlotte Stacey and from the day I met her she helped me in all aspects throughout my time in care.

She became my social worker when I was 14/15 until I turned 18. She has supported me in many ways – from helping me reduce my hospital admissions to actually finding a place in a children’s home that was right for me, where I could thrive.

She has always gone the extra mile for me, making sure that my care plans were all up to date and supporting me to get out of my deprivation of liberty safeguarding order by helping me manage potential risks when living within a house and a community.

Read the full letter here.

The supervisor who made every supervision session ‘feel like a gift’

To Sharon,

I want you to know just how much you mean to me and to everyone in our team. Your contributions to the social work community are nothing short of extraordinary.

You bring so much compassion and warmth to everything you do, and your positive spirit makes it a joy to come to work each day. Even on the hardest days, you lift us up and inspire us to keep going.

As your supervisee, I feel so incredibly lucky to have you as my guide. When I joined early help in October 2023, as a nervous, newly qualified social worker, I didn’t know what to expect. In just a year, you’ve given me so much more than just knowledge. You’ve helped me grow my confidence and find my voice.

Read the full letter here.

The social worker affectionately known as ‘the Oracle’

Carol Jones has been dedicated to the families of Swansea for over 20 years.

First as a social worker and now as a team manager in supported care planning, she works tirelessly to support her team so that they can be the best that they can be for the children and families they work with.

Carol is affectionately known as ‘The Oracle’ for her incredible knowledge and memory, and her energy is infectious. Her fair and balanced approach is hugely valued, and she is a tremendous advocate for children, never failing to keep them at the front and centre of every conversation she has.

Everyone in the office has utter confidence in her judgment and recognises that she always goes above and beyond for her colleagues. When describing her, some words used are  ‘knowledgeable’, ‘reliable’, ‘amazing’, ’empathetic’, ‘exemplary’ and ‘supportive’.

Read the full letter here.

Nominate your colleagues in 2025

Photo by Daniel Laflor/peopleimages.com/ AdobeStock

You can nominate anyone who has inspired you in your career – whether current or former colleagues, managers, students, lecturers, mentors or prominent past and present sector figures whom you have admired from afar.

Nominate your colleague or social work inspiration by filling in our nominations form with a letter or a few paragraphs (100-250 words) explaining how and why the person has inspired you.

Despite the need to provide your name and role, you or the nominee can be anonymous in the published entry.

If you have any questions, email our community journalist, Anastasia Koutsounia, at anastasia.koutsounia@markallengroup.com.

Note: There is a poll embedded within this post, please visit the site to participate in this post's poll.
For Community Care’s 50th anniversary, our My Brilliant Colleague series invites you to celebrate anyone who has inspired you in your career.

In this entry, student social worker Louis Peakes writes a letter addressing his cohort at the University of Hertfordshire, who have been a source of inspiration and support for him during his social work journey.

To my fellow level six cohort studying Social Work BSc (Hons) at the University of Hertfordshire.

I want to thank you all for being part of this journey that can often feel lonely (especially when writing assignments!). I am privileged to have shared the room with such a diverse group of people, all with their individual talents and expertise, that I’m sure will go on to do great things.

A special thanks to our lecturers for giving us their time, sharing their years of knowledge and wisdom, and, most importantly, for putting up with us!

You have all shaped me into a better person and a better professional.

It feels like we have so far to go, but we are nearly there. We can do this. The world needs us, so never give up.

When entering the world of social work, you can sometimes feel like you’re a drop of water in a vast ocean.

On that note, I finish with the wise words of Samuel L Jackson:

“Take a stand for what’s right. Raise a ruckus and make a change. You may not always be popular, but you’ll be part of something larger and greater than yourself. Besides, making history is extremely cool.”

How to nominate a colleague

For our 50th anniversary, we’re expanding our series My Brilliant Colleague to include anyone who has inspired you in your career – whether current or former colleagues, managers, students, lecturers, mentors or prominent past or present sector figures whom you have admired from afar.

Nominate your colleague or social work inspiration by either:

• Filling in our nominations form with a letter or a few paragraphs (100-250 words) explaining how and why the person has inspired you.
• Or sending a voice note of up to 90 seconds to +447887865218, including your and the nominee’s names and roles.

Despite the need to provide your name and role, you or the nominee can be anonymous in the published entry.

If you have any questions, email our community journalist, Anastasia Koutsounia, at anastasia.koutsounia@markallengroup.com.