TV presenter shares experience of growing up in care to mark World Social Work Day

Broadcaster Ashley John-Baptiste delivered a keynote speech encouraging social workers to think about their practice approach, reflect on what has been achieved and what there is still to do as part of World Social Work Day.

The international day, which took place on Tuesday, celebrating the work and achievements of social workers, care workers, specialist teams, support staff, education colleagues and everyone who supports vulnerable children and adults.

Ashley, who is care experienced himself, was invited by senior officers at North East Lincolnshire Council to share his story and took questions from some members of the audience from the area’s children’s services team.

He shared his poignant and personal story to a room of over 150 Council staff who work with families and young people.

Speaking after the event, Councillor Margaret Cracknell, Portfolio Holder for Children’s and Education said the day was a celebration for all social work staff in the area and across the world.

“Our social work teams do tremendously difficult work every day to ensure that families that need help, receive it. They go above and beyond in caring for children and young people across the borough and today is about celebrating the incredible work that they do.

“It does, of course, take more than just our social workers to support local children and families, and today is about recognising all of our staff in children’s services who go above and beyond to keep families together and to keep children on the right path.

“So for us, today is about all of the people working in our service and our wider community who provide support to children and their families – from the children’s social workers to the colleagues working in our family hubs and in our residential children’s homes. From our business support colleagues who triage cases and minute meetings, through to our incredible foster carers who provide full time care for our children.

“We have a group of wonderful people working in North East Lincolnshire and it is important that they feel valued and supported. The role they play in our community is vital and I hope in celebrating them today they feel proud of the work they do.”

Director of Children’s Services at North East Lincolnshire Council, Ann-Marie Matson, said she was grateful to Ashley for sharing what is a very personal experience of care.

“Ashley is an inspirational speaker and really helped everyone there across the children’s workforce to reflect and think about how we can go further to improve the lives of our most vulnerable children.

“Today we celebrated the essence of our work, coming together to represent the compassion, empathy and a relentless pursuit of achieving the very best for the children and young people that we serve. Social care is not just about providing services, it is about creating a sense of belonging and fostering resilience. It is about ensuring that every child and young person has the opportunity to lead a fulfilling life.”