‘Her legacy as a social work mentor, a leader and a supporter ripples through the lives she touches’

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.