Consultant Social Worker Review

Overall, my experience at Staffordshire County Council has been extremely positive. The organisation offers a wide range of opportunities that support the development of skills and knowledge, enabling career progression. Having worked for Staffordshire County Council for nine years, I have benefited greatly from these opportunities, particularly through the apprenticeship scheme, which has been invaluable in strengthening the skills and professional knowledge required to progress into a management role. In addition, I have had the opportunity to work collaboratively with colleagues on a significant project that will be instrumental in shaping and improving practice within the Children and Families directorate.

As a Consultant Social Worker, my main responsibilities include undertaking complex social work practice, supporting decision-making, and working collaboratively across the Integrated Front Door. Following the previous restructure, I was appointed as a Senior Social Worker within the Integrated Front Door, having previously worked in Children’s Safeguarding. This role has significantly broadened my experience, allowing me to develop knowledge and skills across a wide range of service areas, including Children with Disabilities, Young Carers, Early Help, Unaccompanied Asylum-Seeking Children, and Care-Experienced Young People. One of the aspects I enjoy most is the variety of the work and the opportunity to apply a holistic and multi-agency approach to supporting children and families. I have also felt well supported by management to continue developing my career.
Alongside this, I am currently seconded as Workforce Development Lead for the Liquidlogic Implementation project. In this role, my responsibilities include supporting the design, configuration, and implementation of the new case management system across the Children and Families Directorate. This has involved working closely with senior leaders, external project managers, and colleagues across both corporate services and operational teams. What I enjoy most about this role is the opportunity to contribute to system-wide change, collaborate with a diverse range of professionals, and help shape a system that will positively impact practice and outcomes for children and families.

My role provides me with a strong opportunity to contribute meaningfully and feel genuinely valued by my team. I feel that my views are listened to and welcomed, and I have consistently been encouraged to share ideas and provide feedback. Through both my Consultant Social Worker role and my secondment as Workforce Development Lead for the Liquidlogic implementation, I have been able to act as an advocate for a range of business areas, ensuring that the voices, needs, and priorities of operational teams are heard and reflected in decision‑making.
I have been actively involved in shaping service development and practice within the Children and Families Directorate, and it is rewarding to see my ideas and professional input reflected in real changes that support practitioners and improve outcomes for children and families. The trust placed in me to work alongside senior leaders, colleagues across the organisation, and external partners has reinforced that my contributions are valued, and this has had a positive impact on my confidence, professional growth, and sense of purpose within the team.

The 'perk' that I feel has been most valuable to me, is being supported by management to complete an Chartered Business Management Apprenticeship Degree at Staffordshire University.

I feel that my role has prepared me very well for the next stage of my career. Both my substantive role and my secondment have provided valuable experience, enabling me to develop a broad range of skills, leadership insight, and strategic understanding that are essential for management positions.
In addition, the learning and professional development gained through the Chartered Management Apprenticeship Degree have significantly strengthened my confidence and competence, particularly in preparing for management interviews within Staffordshire County Council. I have attended multiple interviews where I have received positive feedback and confirmation that I was appointable based on the quality of my responses. This has been a strong validation of my development and has further built my confidence, reinforcing that I am well prepared to progress into a management role.

The support I receive is extremely positive and has been invaluable to my professional development. I am well supported by colleagues within my team, as well as by my manager and service manager, who are consistently encouraging and supportive of my career development and decision‑making.
Wider colleagues across the organisation are also proactive in encouraging development, offering guidance, and supporting career progression opportunities. In addition, the training opportunities available have been highly valuable and have contributed significantly to my learning and confidence.
I have also received excellent support from the Staffordshire County Council apprenticeship team throughout my degree, who have provided consistent guidance and encouragement, enabling me to balance academic study alongside my professional responsibilities successfully.

There are a range of opportunities for staff to engage in networks and groups across the council. These provide a safe and inclusive space for individuals to learn, build connections, share ideas, and openly discuss opportunities and challenges. In addition to these networks and groups, there are opportunities to engage in meaningful discussions around the Skills for Care Social Care Workforce Race Equality Standard (SCWRES) within Staffordshire County Council.

Yes

There are strong opportunities for professional development and career progression, supported by a wide range of training, apprenticeships, and encouragement from managers and colleagues. It is my opinion that staff feel listened to, valued, and given the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to shaping services.