Our My Brilliant Colleague series invites you to celebrate anyone who has inspired you in your career. It is part of Community Care’s ongoing Choose Social Work campaign, which aims to champion the brilliant work social workers do every day and inspire the next generation of practitioners.
In this entry, independent reviewing officer Sarah Tuck celebrates social worker Katie Brown, whose professional journey she has followed from Katie’s time as a foster carer to her current role, where she is achieving "incredible outcomes" for children and families.
Katie Brown consistently gives 100% to every family she works with. She is empathetic, compassionate and deeply passionate about the work we do to protect children.
She supports families to safely reunite and has achieved some incredible outcomes in her time in social work.
From foster carer to social worker
I have had the privilege of watching Katie's professional journey firsthand. I first worked with her when she was a foster carer for children I supported as a social worker, then as a family support worker, and subsequently as a student social worker.Throughout every stage, she has demonstrated dedication, skill and genuine care for children and families.
Katie is an exceptional professional, and I have no doubt she will become an outstanding social worker. Any family would be truly fortunate to work with her.
Katie has also been a huge reason why I stayed in my role as long as I did. Anyone who has worked in children's services will know how overwhelming and isolating it can sometimes feel. However, when I was with Katie, I always felt safe.
Feedback from families
Her work with families has been truly remarkable. She has supported numerous children to return safely to their families, and the feedback from the families she has worked with is consistently positive. Her professionalism, empathy and dedication make a real and lasting difference in children's lives.Katie is passionate and committed and consistently goes above and beyond in every aspect of her work. She is a role model for colleagues, and her impact on children and families is inspiring. I cannot think of anyone more deserving of this award.
How to nominate a colleague
Photo by Daniel Laflor/peopleimages.com/ AdobeStockYou can nominate 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 filling in our nominations form. This could be 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.
