Candidate Statements
Katy Jackson Candidate Statement
I’ve been in the vice chair role currently for a two-year term. In this time, I have had experience of chairing the National Standing Committee for England and representing BASW England at the BASW UK Council meetings. Through chairing and overseeing the National Standing Committee, I have been able to support with the coordination of the strategic direction of the activity of the Committee and facilitate the voice of many of those across our organisation who are doing amazing work for our profession.
In my role as vice chair for England and as a director for BASW UK, I have developed knowledge of the governance structures of BASW and how these operate in practice. I have a good understanding of the work that is taking place both at an England level and UK level and how this work interacts with BASW’s overarching vision and values.
I am an enthusiastic individual, passionate about social work as a profession and our professional identity in the sector. In the last two years as vice chair, I have represented BASW England and the social work profession at multiple events such as the England annual conference and AGM, Social Worker of the Year Awards, World Social Work Day events, parliamentary receptions, and social work conferences. I believe that as we use our voice and our influence as individuals and as an organisation we can contribute to positive advocacy and change for our profession.
I have strong interpersonal skills and have been able to utilise these to engage with the National Standing Committee (England), BASW council and stakeholders across our profession. During the two years in post, I have built up relationship with social work leaders and politicians across the sector and advocated on behalf of BASW England and the social work profession. I have a strong value base and conviction for promoting best practice and service delivery for our profession and advocating for what is required for us as practitioners to achieve this locally and nationally.
I would love the opportunity to be appointed to serve our BASW England membership for another two year as I feel that I have more I want to give to BASW England and to our profession.
Areas of Interest/Practice:
I am passionate about the social work profession, the value that it brings to people’s lives and the amazing work happening across the board in practice.
I have worked in a variety of roles across the housing sector, mental health, adult services and currently the voluntary and faith-based sector. The factor that unites all of my experience is my passion for safeguarding practice. I am passionate about safeguarding practice being rights and strengths based and person centred across the board regardless of the individuals being supported or the setting that the work is taking place in. In my current role, I support churches and charities with their safeguarding practice. I am interested in spiritual abuse as a category that can impact on individual’s wellbeing and safety, and I am passionate about ensuring that best practice standards are applied to faith contexts.
I have a keen interest in politics and how we can use our voice as social workers as a means for created systemic change for those we support in our profession. Politics goes hand in hand with another one of my passions: advocacy. It is so key that we ensure that individual’s voices are heard. This is why I’m passionate about advocating for our profession; to ensure that the structures in which we practice are person centred and focused on those we support. The Vice Chair role has allowed me to develop this passion further in engaging with those across the sector to ensure that these voices are heard and acted upon.
Jackie Mahoney Candidate Statement
Experience/Knowledge:
I have worked for my current Local Authority; for 25 years in various departments across Adult Social Care. I have been qualified since 2008 after working as an unqualified practitioner since 2002 my current position is Team Manager since 2018. I have extensive experience within the field of social work having been qualified for 16 years and working as a practitioner in the field of social care for 22 years. I am also a visiting lecturer at John Moores University.
I am a long-standing, active member of BASW holding the Co-Chair of the Adult PPEG Group. I am currently until 2024 a member of the Select Committee which has given me a good insight into the workings of the group, responsibilities and aims.
I have been a keen activist of social work (BASW) as a profession but also as an instrument of social change and social justice, been involved in Austerity March organised by BASW.
I have delivered sessions as part of my BASW role I have delivered sessions to BASW network members on the actions of the Adult PPEG Group. I have responded to government and organisational policies, procedures, guidance, and legislation relating to social work, provided quotes and perspective, been involved in workshops, research projects to shape social work profession and social care.
I have delivered information to conferences in matters of social work and advocating for social work at various levels including with MPs and higher management of key organisations (CQC)
I actively engage in reading, research, continuous professional development and seek new learning opportunities within social work.
I have excellent knowledge of front-line social work within adults but also knowledge working with Children alongside knowledge of applicable legislation.
Skills
I believe I am proficient at presenting information verbally; I have good communication skills an understanding of the importance of how to communicate important information, either as feedback to a group as part of my co-chair role or through a presentation. I have spoken, presented at all levels.
I have very good interpersonal skills, being able to interact at all levels, engage and discuss key social work topics. I am confident in group settings at all levels.
I have good understanding and knowledge of social work methods, models and theories also approaches key to social work. I have a passion to ensure social workers can keep up to date with their professional development. I have excellent understanding and passion for social work approaches and the importance of research and evidence-based practice in social work.
I consider myself to be amenable, approachable but also fair and decisive. I have been able to establish my status as a manager recently attaining Leadership of the Year Award within my LA.
I have exceptional networking and problem-solving skills being able to connect people together to complete a task or project.
On a practical level I have excellent computer and administrative skills also project management skills to be able to support the Chair.
I believe my passion for social work alongside the above makes a great candidate.
Areas of Interest/Practice:
Adults / Mental Capacity & Best Interests / Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards / Learning Disability & Neurodiversity / Advocation of Social Work as a profession