Team Leader of the Year, Adult Services
Julia Parfitt
ORGANISATION: Birmingham City Council
AWARD(S): Team Leader of the Year, Adult Services
Managing hospital social work is a very demanding and frequently challenging task; one that Julia takes in her stride and goes about with infectious enthusiasm.
She manages two hospital social work teams in the Good Hope and Solihull hospitals and it’s her commitment to joint working with health partners that makes her stand out. Julia is deeply respected by health colleagues, with senior NHS managers often commenting at regional meetings: “Birmingham is not a concern, as Julia will have that in hand”.
When the team’s assessment workload increased by 125%, she willingly worked alongside staff and developed new processes to manage the demand. This significantly delayed discharge figures, leading to a financial reward for the Directorate which was used to fund a number of other innovative schemes that Julia enthusiastically participated in.
Always committed to the professional development of her team, Julia appoints ‘champions’ in the areas that individuals excel, for example, safeguarding. She also nurtures colleagues who have shown leadership potential to apply for Senior Practitioner roles, taking steps towards management. Julia has fostered an excellent team spirit and what is most telling is that people want to work for her – turnover in her team is very low.
WHAT THEY SAID:
It is my pleasure to have worked alongside Julia and to know what an inspiration she is to all who have contact with her. She is innovative, forward-thinking and fully understanding of the concept of collaborative working and truly worthy of this award.
Alan Lotinga, Service Director for Health and Wellbeing, Birmingham City Council
The themes that leap out of Julia’s nomination are innovation and dedication, and both at a very high level. Julia clearly undertakes her work superbly, with great energy, passion, commitment, creativity and a spectrum of skills at an exemplary standard.
Nick Berbiers, Senior Interim Manager and Consultant
Julia is a supportive and very diligent professional and always focuses on meeting service user needs while maintaining the priorities of the Directorate. She endeavours to uphold a great team ethos, which has helped to improve team performance and throughput of work.
Ajimon John, Social Worker, Good Hope Hospital
Julia is very supportive and has helped me to develop and grow in my role. Her personality means that the team remains happy and focused on the job and her can-do attitude instils us with confidence.
Caroline Gray, Social Worker, Good Hope Hospital
THE FINALISTS
SILVER AWARD WINNER
Jill Moorman, Thurrock Council
Sara Storey, Derbyshire County Council