‘We are all one big family’: how one council has built a culture of support

A pregnant teenager whom Ellis supports as a social worker in children’s services has just asked Ellis to be with her when she gives birth.

It is a big deal because a few months earlier, Ellis was struggling to build a relationship with the-mother-to-be, let alone be someone with whom she was willing to share such an intimate part of her life.

But this is one of many examples of how North East Lincolnshire children’s services are actively encouraging their workforce to build trust and develop strong relationships with children and families.

Since the arrival last year of a new leadership team under director of children’s services Ann-Marie Matson, social workers have been enabled to maximise the time they spend with children and families and strengthen those vital connections.

“We know that you can’t just go into someone’s house and ask them a list of questions and expect them to tell you,” says Katy, a practice supervisor in North East Lincolnshire’s integrated front door team.

“We are giving practitioners the time and the space to build those relationships. Caseloads have reduced so that more meaningful work can be done, and the teams have been restructured to support this,” she adds.

Supporting social workers

There are nine teams within North East Lincolnshire’s children’s assessment and safeguarding service, where Ellis works, with recruitment in progress to fill a 10^th team. Prior to the restructure there were fewer teams with more social workers in each, Katy explains.

“In essence, reducing the numbers in the teams means the practice supervisors can offer more management oversight and ensure supervision is consistent and reflective and benefits the social workers,” she says.

“This will ensure they [social workers] feel supported and focused and have clear direction around what they need to achieve, to motivate, empower and create change for the children and families they are working with.”

And, says Katy: “The quality of relationships between the front door team and partners means that these agencies are exhausting all options before referring families to children’s social care.”

A recent children’s services move from Cleethorpes to Grimsby has also been a positive. “From a front door perspective, more people are dropping into the Grimsby office than before, and that is important because we want them to have a connection with us,” says Katy.

Ellis and Katy. Photo: North East Lincolnshire Council

Training opportunities

Staff at North East Lincolnshire use a practice model that combines elements of relational and strengths-based approaches to build rapport and provide support to children and families. The onus is on practitioners to build trust and work in the best interests of the children and families.

But key to that is ensuring practitioners receive continuous learning and development, which North East Lincolnshire children’s services outline in their new workforce development strategy.

Nikki, deputy director for practice standards and principal social worker, says: “The workforce development strategy is not just a document. Its alive and we’re refreshing our relationship with local universities and have increased capacity to support student social workers, social work apprentices, newly qualified social workers and practice educators.

“We’ve taken a whole new approach to supervision training and are expanding our learning and development offer via our Academy NEL. We have lots of different training opportunities and resources, including in leadership and management, available through Academy NEL. It’s a great time to join us as a social worker with all that we have to offer.”

Katy explains that the new leadership team has created a clearer structure for social workers joining the service, which maps out how practitioners are supported along their career journey.

“Social workers feel more supported because of greater access to supervision and training opportunities,” she adds.

Ellis, who recently completed her assessed and supported year in employment, agrees. She has been able to take up training opportunities irrespective of her position within the service.

“For a long time, it had to be that you were at a certain level [in your career] to do specific training, but that has changed. Now, for example, I was offered the chance to take up achieving best evidence training [relating to interviewing children as vulnerable witnesses] even though I was a newly qualified social worker,” she says.

“When you see a local authority pouring that knowledge and resource into you, it gives you a purpose to stay and give back.”

Community cohesion

Being valued in this way is one of the reasons why Ellis is passionate about working at North East Lincolnshire and would not consider leaving. Another reason is the culture of support within the workforce.

The layout of the new office promotes greater interaction and integration with peers and senior leaders, who regularly check in with the workforce.

Katy agrees. “When Ann-Marie and the senior leadership speak and share their views, I feel motivated,” she says. They are really inspiring.

“They have taken the time to speak with the teams and this is a different approach to what we have been used to. It really strengthens the feeling of all being on this journey together.”

Ellis concurs.

“There is no difference in how you are spoken to, whether you are a newly qualified social worker, a family support worker or a receptionist,” she says. “We are all one big family, – there’s no hierarchy. It feels safe.

“We’ve been given the permission to be proud. It is ace to be part of something that is so exciting.

“Inside all of us is the power to change the world for somebody, and I think, in this local authority, you aren’t just changing the world, for that one person, or their family, it then has a ripple effect into the community too. You’ve got the ability to change life as you know it in our small town – so why wouldn’t you?”

Katy adds: “You’re actually going to be able to make a big difference here. For me, I am staying because I see we have the right conditions to make those changes and to be the best we can be.

“I am part of this journey, and I am staying until we are outstanding – that is my ultimate aim. I want the children and families to be proud of us.”