My journey as a mental health social worker

From practice to senior leadership

Over the past decade, my career has taken me across a wide range of roles in health, social care and mental health services. Although the path hasn’t always been straight, a single purpose has guided everything I do: to support people who are often misunderstood, marginalised or excluded particularly individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder, Learning Disability, Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD) etc in ways that are ethical, compassionate and grounded in understanding rather than judgement.

My work has always been driven by a simple belief: behaviour is communication. When we take the time to understand the stories behind people’s actions their needs, their histories, their unaddressed support we create the conditions for real change. This continues to shape the way I practise and lead today.

My journey into health and social care

My career in health and social care began almost eleven years ago, working directly with children, young people and families facing significant and often complex challenges. Early on, I realised how easily individuals could be labelled as “difficult” when, in reality, they were navigating trauma, stress or unaddressed needs. Seeing this misunderstanding play out in real time shaped my commitment to approaches grounded in empathy, curiosity and respect, rather than control or blame.

While building experience on the frontline, I also invested in my academic development. I completed a BSc in Psychology with Criminology at Middlesex University, followed by an MSc in Applied Behaviour Analysis at Queen’s University Belfast studies that helped me view behaviour through both scientific and social perspectives. Yet, it was returning to Middlesex to complete the MA in Social Work that had the most profound impact on me, strengthening my reflective practice which involves deliberately thinking about my own experiences and learning from them. Through this process I reshaped the way I understood systems, inequality and the role of the practitioner.

How Middlesex shaped my thinking

My time at Middlesex was transformative. The programme challenged me to think deeply about systems, inequality, power and the role of the practitioner. It encouraged reflective practice not just in theory, but as a daily discipline.

Middlesex University and the Social Work teaching staff have helped me develop the confidence to sit with complexity, ask better questions and understand that ethical practice, the key principles that guide our work, is rarely about simple answers. Instead, it is about staying grounded, curious and aware of the wider context surrounding people’s lives.

My dissertation explored Social Work Interventions and Challenges in Addressing Neglect Among Children with Learning Disabilities and Autism Spectrum Disorder in the UK. The project allowed me to bring together my academic learning and practical experience, and it sparked a long term interest in how support can be delivered in ways that are collaborative, humane and genuinely empowering.

Building a career in the NHS and beyond

After qualifying, I continued my career in the NHS, where I have spent the last seven years working in both clinical and leadership roles. Over time, I moved from direct work with individuals to roles focused on service operations and strategy, supporting teams in various areas of work and helping to shape how services run.

The values I strengthened during my time at Middlesex have guided me throughout this journey especially trauma informed practice, strengths based approaches, and a commitment to understanding behaviour within its wider social and cultural and context.

Alongside my NHS work, I have been developing a book proposal inspired by my dissertation and years of practice. The book explores how we can better understand difficulties from the perspective of children, young people and their families, particularly those who are often misunderstood or excluded. Writing has given me space to reflect, bring research and practice together, and think creatively about how support systems can continue to improve.

A new chapter: mental health leadership in prison services

Later this year, I will be stepping into a new role as a Manager within Prison Services. At first glance, this may seem very different from my earlier work with children and families but many of the themes are the same: trauma, exclusion, unaddressed needs and barriers to care.

This senior leadership role will involve overseeing mental health service delivery, supporting various teams and shaping environments where care remains ethical, collaborative and responsive to complexity. It feels like a natural progression and an opportunity to influence systems at a wider level.

Looking forward: staying grounded in purpose

If there is one thing my journey has shown me, it is that careers do not need to follow a straight path. Middlesex played a crucial role in teaching me that learning is never finished and it is a continuous process of reflection, curiosity and growth. The most meaningful opportunities often emerge from the spaces that feel uncertain.

As I move into this next chapter, my commitment remains the same: to support individuals seeking support with compassion, to challenge systems that create barriers, and to contribute to practice that is thoughtful, ethical and evidence informed. I may not have all the answers, but I have learned that asking the right questions and staying grounded in values can make all the difference.

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