Who am I?

I qualified as a social worker over 30 years ago and, ten years later, established The Social Work Company to provide services and support for vulnerable young people and their families in various complex and challenging environments. In 2017, we launched a second company to oversee our therapeutic residential childcare services.

During my career I have acquired numerous invaluable skills beyond those gained through my professional training. I have learned how to develop and manage a business, how to draft policies and ensure compliance with statutory regulations, and how to manage contracts, stakeholders and staff.

But foremost is good communication, both my own and supporting its development in others, I have learned its value first hand through my daily interactions. Especially the role played by effective mediation skills when resolving disputes and improving understanding with our partners, staff, and of course, our young people.

In 2024, I sold my business and began a new career, completing my Master of Laws (LLM) and formalising my mediation skills by obtaining my Civil and Commercial Mediation accreditation. I became a member of the Society of Mediators and an associate member of the Civil Mediation Council.

Today alongside my mediation, I continue to deliver training on clinical supervision and have the privilege of working with some of the young people I have known over the years, providing “expert by experience” talks to a new body of student social workers.