Essex County Council’s Changing Futures Wellbeing team were recently nominated for the Team of the Year Award at this year’s Social Worker of the Year Awards. The specialist adult social care team provides wellbeing support to people who have often been overlooked by traditional services. In our latest blog we wanted to find out more about the team and their thoughts on being recognised for their hard work.
What does being nominated mean to the Changing Futures Wellbeing team?
It’s amazing to be recognised by the Social Worker of the Year Awards 2026. The team started as a pilot project in 2022 with only four staff members and time-limited funding. Since then, the team has worked hard to support our service users in a way that works for them, through grassroots social work.
We expanded in 2023 and grew to 11 staff members in 2026, with permanent funding in place. We are very proud of our achievements and the results we have achieved. This recognition reflects our hard work and the approach we believe in, which means the world to us. We hope this publicity can demonstrate to the wider system in the country that our approach works and can help drive cultural change in the way vulnerable adults are supported.
“We adapt as a team to the person seeking support, not the other way around.”
Can you share an example of the positive impact the team has made that you are proud of?
Going from a small pilot project to a fully funded and established team, the success of the programme and team has drawn national attention. This resulted in the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions visiting in 2025 to ask about how the team operates and what drives our success, as well as a successful formal evaluation from the government. The team’s success has contributed to the expansion of the Changing Futures Programme and its approach across the country in 2026.
We believe in building trust and relationships with our clients and the wider social care system. Through this, we have been able to bring different stakeholders closer together and help organisations collaborate more effectively.
However, we are most proud of what we do for our clients. We have supported people to access stable accommodation, engage with mental health support, reduce harmful substance use and begin rebuilding their lives. Successfully adapting to our clients’ needs, we have so far supported nearly 400 individuals, most of whom had fallen through the gaps of society.
What makes the team’s approach so effective?
The team recognises the importance of engaging well with clients. We adapt as a team to the person seeking support, not the other way around. Additionally, we only require a client to have a self-reported mental health issue to access our service. This means we are highly accessible to people who need our support.
Our direct mental health support can include a range of different interventions. Every member in the team is trained to be qualified and provide direct DBT Therapy, Trauma Informed and Systemic Practice, which directly improves the lives of our service users. However, because we are social workers, we can provide these interventions from a social perspective, with sight of the whole system.
Many of the individuals we support have experienced systemic failure, stigma and discrimination – particularly related to drug and alcohol use as a coping mechanism for trauma. Despite this, the team approaches every person without judgement, recognising the underlying causes of behaviour and meeting individuals where they are. Through consistent engagement, honesty, and respect, we have been able to establish strong, trusting relationships that form the foundation for change. The relationship with the client is an integral part of the team’s practice and we take our time to build trusting relationships.
What message would you like to share with colleagues and partners who have supported the team’s journey?
I want to thank everyone who has supported us over the years. In particular, the Public Health commissioners and Essex County Council leadership, who have been so pragmatic and supportive, giving us the freedom, trust and space to develop. We also could not do it without our community partners, Phoenix Futures, who we work with very closely.
For anyone thinking about a career in Adult Social Care, what would you tell them about working in the Changing Futures Wellbeing team?
As a wellbeing team, we pride ourselves on delivering excellent support consistently. We take care of ourselves and keep our own wellbeing and work/life balance in mind. The work we do can be challenging, so it’s important to look after yourself as well. We also focus on development to ensure our team members are best placed to provide support and can perform at a high level.
We are lucky to work at Essex County Council, which has a positive culture and a strong focus on staff wellbeing and development. We are fully supported in this way, so if you’re passionate about working in Adult Social Care, I would recommend giving it a go.
Join a team where you can make a difference – apply for Adult Social Care roles at Essex County Council.
Learn more about the Social Worker of the Year Awards on their website.
