Shanece : Deputy Team manager role’s journey

When I started working for Southwark, I joined as a locum Social worker within the Intermediate Care Southwark team. It is an integrated service between Southwark Council and Guy’s and St Thomas hospital comprising of social workers, pharmacists, nurses, occupational therapists, physiotherapists and reablement support workers.

It was a real melting pot of different professionals and talents. Working in this team broadened my knowledge of health care practices and connecting the medical and social models in terms of how we understand and cohesively support service users.
I formed good relationships with other professionals, colleagues and enjoyed the integrated way of working within that team.

In my current role as Deputy Team manager in the Aging well Southwark team, which consists of Age UK and Adults social care staff, I manage the ‘front door’ (the contact team) for the Older People and Physical Disabilities service.

In this team we work at pace, provide sign posting and also work creatively to meet the needs of residents in a full range of needs, care and support screening and provide equipment to residents to support their independence via the strength based approach.
It goes without saying that we provide tailored information and resources according to a person’s changing circumstances- It’s a cliché but no two days are ever the same.

Southwark has supported me to complete the Practice Educational Standards, to become a practice educator and be able to take on social work students. I have found it a positive experience to play it forward and provide mentoring for others.
I am pleased to say that my internal promotion to my current role has enabled me to grow and learn at a pace with mentorship and supervision. In Southwark, the leadership team are mindful of the fact that internal promotions support one’s career journey and retains staff.
Whilst it’s great that external recruitment brings in new talent, I think internal progression is important to reward staff, keep and support colleagues who know the borough and resources well. The continuity is positive for service users too.
It isn’t far from anywhere. London Bridge is right in the heart of capital so it is accessible and being able to hot desk from different offices is useful.
In addition to my role, I work across various project groups with different stakeholders. This includes Southwark Stands Together; this work stream looks at how we can make working in Southwark more inclusive and the domestic abuse group which considers how teams can work jointly to improve support for Southwark residents who are victims of abuse.

I would like think that my opportunity of being involved with the abovementioned groups evidences how Southwark provides opportunities for their colleagues to become involved with working on different projects, which will in turn enhance opportunities for all.

Shanece Bonner

Deputy Team Manager
Social Work England registered Social Worker.
Practice Educator Professional Standards (Level 1) Goldsmith’s University 2021
BA Hons Social Work (undergraduate degree) 2015