Loading …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.
