We recognise the most important influence in a child’s life is family. Children who grow up with safe, stable and nurturing relationships form stronger friendships, develop greater resilience, achieve more in school and are more likely to build positive relationships throughout their lives.
We are child focussed in our intent but recognise that the most effective way to help and protect children is to work alongside the whole family. Therefore strengthening families is central to our aims as we know that families have greater capacity for change when we work with them as partners. This is part of an evidence based approach known as Restorative Practice.
We aim to embed a culture across our workforce where dignity and respect is the basis for our interventions. Every member of staff will understand the principles of Restorative Practice and its ethos will underpin all of our work and align to the borough vision of ‘Forging a Future for all’.
CPP Meet the Team
I am Service Manager for Dudley’s Centre for Professional Practice. I have been a qualified social worker for longer than I like to be reminded, and have experience as a practitioner and manager in a wide range of children and families social work settings.
My passion is developing practice, as a practice educator and through the learning we get by reviewing and auditing work we have done with families and using it to change how we work.
I was introduced to Restorative Practice some years ago, and it has become central to my practice as I believe the combination of support and challenge are key to enabling individuals and teams to develop and improve.
In my spare time, I enjoy music, sharing food with friends and family and wild swimming
Cornelia Heaney
Service Manager
01384 813218
I am a Team Manager at Dudley’s Centre for Professional Practice. I have over 10 years experience as a qualified Social Worker in front line and management roles. My current role involves auditing, and linking in with services to improve practice quality. I am also leading on embedding Restorative Practice in the Authority.
I am hugely passionate about supporting the learning and development of practitioners. I truly believe this is key to delivering good quality social work practice, and achieving good outcomes for children and families.
When I am not at work, I enjoy walks in the countryside, and spending time with family and friends.
Nisha Sharred
Team Manager
01384 813104
I am a Team Manager at Dudley’s Centre for Professional Practice. I started my journey in social work in 2008 within a Duty and Assessment team and I have moved between different roles since then; having progressed to senior/advanced practitioner roles, supporting as deputy consultant social worker for the Frontline programme, and undertaking Independent Fostering assessments. I have always enjoyed sharing learning with colleagues and was keen to become a Stage 2 Practice Educator. I have supported many students and newly qualified social workers throughout their learning journeys.
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My role as an advanced practitioner enabled me to develop further skills around training delivery, auditing, and working with senior management to support with areas of the service plan. Within my Team Manager role at present, my areas of focus are around quality assurance and participation. I believe that we need to continually review our practice to ensure that our work with children and families is of a high standard. I am keen to ensure that the voices of children, young people and their families are heard, and their views shape our services.
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In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, baking (and then eating it!), and listening to music.
Anisha Gill
Team Manager
01384 813102
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Harry Griffiths
Centre for Professional Practice Co-ordinator
01384 816623
I am the Centre for Professional Practice Coordinator. With over five years working for Dudley council in various roles obtaining my business administration and management qualifications.
My core responsibilities include organising training sessions, supporting audits, and coordinating key events. I collaborate closely with both external partners and internal departments to support our service delivery.
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Currently, I am advancing my professional qualifications by pursuing a Level 4 Quality Practitioner Qualification.
Christy Jordan
Advanced Social Work Practitioner
01384 813204
I am an Advanced Social Work Practitioner at Dudley’s Centre for Professional Practice. I gained a BA Hons in Social Work in 2013 from Coventry University. I have worked as a Social Worker in an Adoption Team and in Duty and Assessment Service. I am the Link Worker to the Children in Care and Care Leavers Service. I am a Stage 2 Practice Educator and support Student Social Workers and Practice Supervisors for the duration of a statutory placement.
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I am involved with the Assessed and Supported Year in Employment (ASYE); I support with delivering Taught Days, Reflective and Group Supervision, Review Meetings and Direct Observations of Practice.
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I Quality Assure Dudley Practice Guidance, complete Audits, and offer Coaching and Mentoring as part of the learning and development of the workforce.
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In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my partner and our two dogs; Kevin and Frank, going out for meals with my family and friends, and going kickboxing!
Vicki Silvester-Grant
Advanced Social Work Practitioner
01384 813201
I am an Advanced Social Work Practitioner at Dudley’s Centre for Professional Practice. My journey into Social Work began in 2002 as a typist in a Children’s Duty and Assessment Team within Birmingham Children’s Services. Within a couple of years I had the opportunity to manage an administrative team within CAMHS and a year after that I became a Social Work Assistant within a Children’s Duty Team.
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I was fortunate to secure a secondment during this time to obtain my BA Social Work Degree, which I obtained through the Open University. While I have predominantly worked within Duty and Assessment teams, I have also worked within Care Management, Adoption and Children in Care settings.
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Within the Dudley CPP Team, I am the Link Worker to the Duty and Assessment Teams and MASH. As part of this role, I provide 1:1 direct support to Social Workers and Team Managers in relation to case work. I complete a variety of audits within the Quality Assurance Framework and assist in promoting the knowledge and skills base of practitioners within Dudley.
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Outside of work, spending time with family and friends is very important to me. My main interests include photography, travel, food, movies and music.
Sunita Kallu
Advanced Social Work Practitioner
01384 813131
I am currently an Advanced Social Work Practitioner at Dudley’s Centre for Professional Practice.
I gained a MA in Social Work in 2014 from University of Wolverhampton, following this I have gained invaluable experience working in Care Management and have a keen interest in Child Development.
Within my role I am involved in the quality assurance of practice throughout the service. This involves completing audits, writing and updating procedures, policies and practice standards to support good practice across the service. With changing policies, guidance and legislation, we as qualified Social Workers continue to learn and develop throughout our careers. I really enjoy being part of a team which focuses on supporting the learning and development of the workforce.
Outside of work I enjoy travelling and making memories with my family and friends.
Sophie Rees
Advanced Social Work Practitioner
01384 813667
I am currently an Advanced Social Work Practitioner at Dudley’s Centre for Professional Practice and have been part of the team since August 2022.
I graduated from the University of Wolverhampton in 2016, shortly after gaining employment with Dudley Children Services. I started out on the ASYE program, based in Safeguarding and Support, I remained within this Social Work role until January 2021, when I took a role in Dudley's Exploitation Team.
I have a passion for working with young people and their families, who are experiencing, or are at risk of exploitation, grooming and contextual harm.
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Presently in my role, I am involved in the quality assurance of practice throughout the service. I complete audits, write and update procedures, policies and practice standards, to support the development of Social Work standards in Dudley. Additionally, I support and am a Practice Assessor for the ASYE program.
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I am keen to support Social Workers to embed the Family Safeguarding and Restorative practice models, ensuring child have a voice and are advocated for.
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In my spare time, I enjoy nature and the countryside. I am adventurous and outgoing, I love animals and have lots kept at home with me, who keep me very busy!
I keep three horses and ride regularly, I have a dog, which I enjoy long walks with and a cat who takes up any remaining time!