Last year we received 20 compliments from the public, a selection of these is listed below:

Mash, Referral & Assessment, Family Support & Child Protection

We just wanted to provide you with feedback we received from a special guardian regarding a social worker's work. The guardian said given the child had multiple social workers and had experienced confusion around contact and whom they would be working with next, the social worker was able to forge a really positive working relationship with the child. The child was able to complete detailed and very sensitive work around their life story where the social worker could be seen on the carpet doing creative work with the child which helped the child to share their feelings. The social worker, knowing the guardian was attending their mother's funeral, decided to attend a school play so the child would have someone in the audience. The child was really pleased the social worker was there for them. It has been a very tricky case to manage, and the guardian noted the social worker was shrewd, not being taken in by false characters and was able to identify untruths really quickly. The social worker was discerning and never lost sight of the child. We often highlight negative aspects of social work. It is so nice to share positive feedback. Well done!"

Well done to a Social Work Assistant in Child Protection and Family Services. Thank you so much for your time and support during our staying together class sessions. You have no idea how much these sessions have opened my eyes and helped me to reflect on my own parenting skills. I can only pray that God almighty will reward you and help your own family also. I've enjoyed the teaching and interactions. I felt like I've been talking with my own older sister teaching me life-essential skills whenever I'm interacting with you. I really can't thank you enough."

Looked after Children, Permanence and Specialist Services

We would like to pass on our sincere gratitude and commendation to a very special social worker who has gone above and beyond in the interests of a Looked After Child within the Children with Disabilities Team. The social worker has been an exceptional social worker. They have worked tirelessly, as well as keeping on top of their other case loads, to ensure that the child obtained their right to a passport so that they could join us on our family holiday, which we have had to postpone three years running due to ongoing issues around this. The social worker gave up their weekend with their young family to meet us in London to collect the passport that they had worked so hard to obtain. They have dealt with this issue in a very professional manner. I have been fostering for many years and even though I have worked with many, many extremely good social workers, this social worker has proved to be a social worker that puts the children first even if it means maybe unintentionally upsetting people along the way. We need social workers like this, and we hope and pray they stay for a very long time ensuring that these very special children have an advocate that believes."

If there is anything in this report which requires further clarification, please contact the Complaints and FOI Team at Complaints@bexley.gov.uk.