Mental Health Social Worker of the Year
Wendy Whitaker
ORGANISATION: Southwark Council and South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust
AWARD(S): Mental Health Social Worker of the Year
https://vimeo.com/112709297
What impressed the judges most about Wendy was her dedication and commitment to the profession, both of which shone through in her nomination. They described her as a role model, one who represents the unique and vital role that social work and practitioners play in improving people’s lives.
An Approved Mental Health Professional, she has been working in the field of mental health, specifically eating disorders, for over 20 years. Wendy has remained in frontline practice and currently works on an inpatient ward supporting female adults with eating disorders.
One of Wendy’s most valuable qualities is her constant belief for a better life for the service users she works with and her ability in helping them to achieve their goals. She takes the time to work out what’s going to be appropriate for each individual and as a result, consistently delivers quality and compassionate care.
Wendy’s enthusiasm is particularly inspiring to those around her and she is a role model to her colleagues, often encouraging junior members of the team to work with her and the service users and their families. Not only is Wendy keen to share her vast experience with the rest of the team, she is always keen to add to her knowledge and is enthusiastic in trying and developing new ways of working.
WHAT THEY SAID:
Reading Wendy’s entry made my stomach flutter – her dedication to remain in frontline practice for over 20 years is an inspiration.
Joe Godden, Professional Officer, BASW
Wendy is motivated to always try and find ways to make someone’s life different, something which requires patience, imagination, flexibility and enthusiasm.
Dana Mayers, Acting Ward Manager, South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust
Wendy is a role model to the team with which she works, reflecting the best in direct social work practice.
Lyn Romeo, Chief Social Worker for Adults
Wendy always makes me feel like there is hope and that it is never too late. She always believed that I could achieve my goal of going to university and would remind me of this whenever she could.
Service User
THE FINALISTS
SILVER AWARD WINNER
Linda Ram, Partnerships in Care