‘I know my manager’s busy – but she never shows this to us’

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, senior social worker Beth Lakin has nominated her manager, Fiona William, whom she describes as compassionate, empathetic and someone “who sees the best in everyone she supports”.

Fiona is a brilliant colleague with a wealth of knowledge and experience that she makes a point to share with others.

If something needs to be challenged – for example, to uphold the rights of someone we support – she will use this knowledge and experience to advocate for that person.

She goes above and beyond for the staff and the citizens we support. She has also forged great working partnerships with other organisations, such as the NHS, and is considered a respected professional by them; one who sees the best in everyone she supports. 

While I am aware she is busy, she never shows this to the team she manages. She is always supportive and will address any questions we may have or otherwise consult the professionals equipped to answer them.

Fiona is compassionate and empathetic, and sometimes, when the job becomes too much, she listens and guides us, ensuring our own welfare needs are met.

I believe she is worthy of this nomination as she upholds the meaning of team work and leadership. 

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.