Qualifying as a social worker in 1994, I have over 25 years’ experience in statutory and voluntary sector children’s services, including safeguarding and early help.
I have extensive experience of senior leadership in children's safeguarding and early help services, including 7 years as Service Delivery Manager for service improvement. In that role I led the local authority's improvement journey from an Ofsted 'Requires Improvement' judgement to 'Outstanding'.
I also have experience of senior management of a quality assurance, advocacy and independent conference & reviewing service (IROs, CP Chairs, LADO).
I have specialist experience in using quantitative and qualitative data as the basis for evidence-based service review, evaluation and improvement.
I have many years' experience in leading preparation for and logistical co-ordination of Ofsted inspections of children's services.
I have an Honours Degree in Social Work and a Masters in Social Policy & Research.
I am registered with Social Work England, and as an Independent Social Worker with BASW.
Tilly Heigh
I am passionate about helping organisations provide the very best quality services to children & young people and their families.
I am a registered social worker with strong senior leadership and strategic planning skills and a long track record of delivering service improvements - including leading the improvement journey in a local authority to an Ofsted judgement of 'Outstanding' from a previous 'Requires Improvement'.
I believe that providing families with the right help at the right time helps ensure children and young people are safe, well cared for and able to thrive.
I am flexible and creative and take a systemic and evidence-based approach to service improvement - understanding the inter-connected nature of organisational systems, and the need for improvement activity to be holistic and engage people in all parts of the organisation. Using information from performance and quality assurance activity I can help your organisation evaluate 'where you are' in terms of service quality, and work with you to plan the next steps on your improvement journey.
I believe that staff are the most valuable asset in any organisation; the key to service improvement is ensuring they feel valued, that they know what 'good' and 'outstanding' look like and are engaged at all stages of the improvement journey. I can help you and your organisation consider how effective your current communication methods are and develop and implement an effective communication plan.
Photo by Tilly Heigh