A social worker from child service Achieving for Children has been crowned Mental Health Social Worker of 2021.

John Leavy, who works across Kingston and Richmond, is an adult mental health social worker based within the family youth resilience, working alongside a team of specialists.

His job involves working with parents and creating safeguarding plans for their children, as well advising colleagues and dealing with domestic violent interventions.

Surrey Comet:

He is based across Kingston and Richmond borough and has lived in London for more than 30 years.

John told Newsquest south London: “When I moved to London it was the time of the HIV and AIDS crisis.

“I volunteered at the Terrance Higgins Trust where I supported people with HIV.

“That was when I found the power of an individual and how I could help.

“I had no experience, but if you’re kind and compassionate you can move mountains.

“People really value someone who can listen.”

On Wednesday, November 17, John won Mental Health Social Worker of 2021 at England’s Social Worker of the Year Awards.

The awards are run by a not-for-profit charity to celebrate social work and promote positive stories from the profession.

Surrey Comet:

John centres his job around “focusing the needs of the parents”.

He explained: “We’re a small team who wraps around the family when they’re in crisis.

“Child protection cases have many complex organisations interfacing with families.

“Dealing with the legal process- such as lost appointments, solicitors, barristers and therapeutic interventions can be such a challenging time.

“It’s about working with the team and focusing the needs of the parents.”

John says he gets his clients through referrals from social workers and safe guarders.

John told Newsquest south London that there is “no such thing as a bad referral.”

He added: “There is no such thing as a bad referral.

“If parents are feeling a little weak, professionals learn and look at other ways that support can be offered.”

John maintains a healthy lifestyle balance by keeping his work and private life separate, although admitted that it’s “taken a long time to get there.”

He said: “It’s taken a long time to manage the balance between work and personal life, but my team are very understanding and when I say I can’t take any more cases on they respect that.”

Although the subject of mental health has a history of stigma, John said that the “walls are slowly being broken” but there is “much room for improvement."

He explained: “The walls are slowly being broken.

“Compared to when I joined the business 30 years ago, it has definitely got better- but there is still much room for improvement.

“The services are there, but people are having difficulties accessing them.

“It’s ok talking about it, but you do need action to help people, especially in these times.”

John and Achieving for Children often fill the gap between waiting times - if parents are under the Child Protection services.

He added: “It wouldn’t be long term, but we are flexible to a point.

“Long waiting lists are challenging for anyone, whether you’re suffering from cancer or hearing voices in your head.”

John said that there are many things the public can do before accessing services.

He added: “Everyone has an individual responsibility to look after themselves but also to look out for each other.

“You often don’t need professionals like us straight away, there are a lot of things we can do.

“Some of the simple things people do are very moving and can change someone’s mindset.

“Day to day interactions back on to a person’s reaction.”

John works closely with families, south west London NHS and GPS across Kingston and Richmond boroughs.