How can social workers progress without becoming managers?
Four social workers discuss developing their careers without going into management and offer advice to practitioners considering a similar path
Anastasia Koutsounia
Posts by Anastasia Koutsounia
10% pay rise 'the least council staff deserve', say social workers
Half of practitioners back unions' claim for a 10% pay rise in 2026-27 in the light of the "years of pay cuts" council staff have endured
My Care Story: 'My foster parents were my family - even when the system didn’t see it'
A children’s practitioner reflects on growing up in care, struggling with her mental health, the lack of support given to her foster family, and the absence of social workers at critical moments
What is the impact of high-profile child deaths like Sara Sharif’s on social workers?
Two-thirds of social workers admit their confidence has been adversely affected by high-profile child deaths, like those of Sara Sharif, Peter Connelly and Victoria Climbié
The social worker inspiring practitioners with her approach to safeguarding adults
A former director praises an adults' social worker for supporting hundreds of colleagues through challenging casework and for an innovative approach to safeguarding adults
Look back at the brilliant social work colleagues of 2025
A selection of some of the fantastic social workers nominated for their practice, empathy and work ethic
The issues social workers cared about most in 2025
To wrap up 2025, we look back at the top 10 Readers’ Take articles of the year and the issues that resonated most with practitioners
Working on Christmas Eve: two social workers on the cases they’ll never forget
Two social workers reflect on working during Christmas Eve, and the cases where unexpected empathy and community support turned difficult moments into lasting memories
The social worker 'exhausting every option' to help children facing exploitation
Children's social worker Rosie is described as the 'loudest voice in the room' when services fail to provide children with the support they need
The former foster carer helping children reunite with their families
In the latest My Brilliant Colleague, a practitioner's former manager commends her for a career defined by “genuine care” for children and families
Social workers on navigating conflict with families and management
Three social workers from across children’s and adults’ services reflect on dealing with conflict, including between the views of families and management, and how such experiences have shaped their...
Proposed 15-year wait for settlement will worsen social care workforce shortages, say practitioners
Social workers have echoed sector leaders' warnings that the proposed 15-year route to settlement for overseas care workers will harm social care and those the sector supports