Ebony Hughes, Assistant Director Children’s Services, writes:
We got to know Shannon through her involvement in the ‘job club’ that we set up with London Borough of Islington. (The job club helps care leavers apply for jobs and prepares them for employment.) Having been impressed by her attitude and potential, we went on to offer her an internship in the IMPOWER office which she took up earlier this year. One of her achievements during the internship was to write an essay for our Shining a Light essay collection. This is a publication that has been read by people at the highest levels, and for Shannon to write such a powerful and honest essay for a national publication was truly inspiring.
Social workers play a vital role in achieving better outcomes for individuals and on World Social Work Day we have an extra reason to celebrate social work. I have been working with social workers in one local authority and have taken away some key lessons about relationships in social work.
Jacky Yates is Head of Older Adults and Adult Support, and Principal Social Worker, at Ealing Council. On the occasion of World Social Work Day, we asked Jacky to tell us about why it is important, what Ealing are doing to celebrate and her future aspirations for social work.
I joined the LGA’s ‘Behaviour Change’ conference this week. I was there to share our impact in Ealing through the Better Lives programme, and in particular how applied behavioural science has led to a massive 39% reduction in referrals from the front door to adult social care teams.
