Team Leader of the Year, Children’s Services
Jenny Slee
ORGANISATION: North Somerset Council
AWARD(S): Team Leader of the Year, Children's Services
Jenny Slee retired from her post in August 2018, but after an incredible 30 years’ service with North Somerset Council, it is clear she has left behind a valuable legacy.
Throughout her career, Jenny worked in a number of roles in the council’s resource service, which includes fostering, adoption, looked-after children and care leavers teams.
In 2008, she became the manager of the adoption service, where she successfully developed a strong and varied support system, despite the financial pressures in children’s services. She has also overseen a number of positive Ofsted inspections, with her team rated ‘good’ in 2017 and commended for the initiatives they offer to adoptive families.
Not one to slow down, Jenny used her final few months in the job to shape the regionalisation of the adoption service, enthusiastically getting everyone on board.
Jenny’s colleagues regard her as a caring, respectful manager whose main motivation has always been the children. She has consistently invested her time and skills in each case, making herself available to families, and being a listening ear in times of crisis. As a result, she has been a highly-valued member of staff and will undoubtedly be missed by many.
Jenny will clearly be a big miss when she leaves north Somerset but will leave a legacy of high standards and some staff who will have learned good quality practice through her coaching and mentoring.
Carol Long, Chief Executive, Young Epilepsy
Jenny is a collaborator and positive role model with a genuine interest in staff. She is generous, enthusiastic, well respected and loved by staff and families and leaves a wonderful legacy.
Sherry Malik, Director of Children’s Services, NSPCC:
If Jenny Slee hadn't believed in us as adopters, we wouldn't be here having a wonderful time with our adopted daughter. We had experienced much stress of an adoption breakdown. Without Jenny's support we would have given up on the process. Four years into the process I am a mother and the feeling is immense. Thank you, our dream of being a mum and dad is the most amazing feeling thank you Jenny.
Service user feedback
Across 39 years of social work I can honestly say that Jenny is one of the most inspirational social workers I have had the privilege to work alongside. She is an incredibly generous person who shares her knowledge, wisdom, experience and skills for the greater good.
Sheila Smith, Director People and Communities North Somerset Council
THE JUDGES
Andy Gill
Carol Long
Sherry Malik
Marion Russell
THE FINALISTS
Belinda Collingwood, Essex County Ciuncil
Justine Hughes, Oldham Council
Linzi Nicholson, Doncaster Childrens Services Trust
SILVER AWARD WINNER
Shaira Makorie, Achieving for Children
Victoria McLeod, Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council