Ali Porteous

Workforce Project Manager

I have worked in the health and social care industry for many years and had the opportunity to work with all sorts of different people in our community, helping to support people in living the best lives they can. The job is challenging, rewarding, creative and exciting. I don’t think any other career would have allowed me to do so much and learn so many skills.

Crystal Howell

Senior Practitioner Specialist Lead

I have been a qualified social worker for 21 years, having completed my Masters in Social Work in 2000. I undertook my training in Washington, DC (U.S), and have trained, lived and worked within three different countries: Bermuda (my home), the U.S and now the UK. Throughout my 20+ year career, I have worked in Child and Family Services (even before qualifying), Education (delivering services, developing programmes and teaching in higher/further education), Human Resources, Training and Development/ Practice Development and now Adult Social Services. I am now currently a Senior Practitioner- Specialist Lead in Surrey County Council’s Professional Development Team, having moved from being Team Manager in the Countywide Learning Disability and Autism Service (Adults Social Care). My wealth of knowledge and experience demonstrates the transferability of the skills you develop at the qualified social work level, which has allowed me to progress my career in three different countries, and within various roles both within and external to social care.

Dawn Scully

Senior Practitioner Specialist Lead

At school, I wasn’t sure what career path I wanted to take. So, after passing my exams, I focused on taking subjects that interested me…psychology, sociology, and science. In my spare time I worked as a volunteer for different local projects like, a youth awareness programme (about drug misuse) and Young Carers group. I successfully completed a degree in Psychology and Education and afterwards gained a job with the youth project working as an arrest referral worker in a police station. It was there that I learned that my ability to support people was limited without a Social Work qualification and that was my next goal!

I joined Surrey County Council’s Adult Social Care Directorate as a Newly Qualified Social Worker in 2003 and after my first year in a generic locality team, I gained a role as a specialist social worker. I stayed in that role for most of my career, later returning to my interest in education. I am now a qualified Practice Educator working in the Adult Social Care, Professional Development Team. This role includes supporting students on placement and newly qualified Social Workers and Occupational Therapists during their first year in practice.