Introducing the PCSFW Network Co-Chair team

Tapiwa Julius

Tapiwa is PSW for Children Education and Families Directorate in Cambridgeshire County Council and Co-Chair of the National Children and Families PSW Network.

‘When I think about my Social GRACES, I see the PSW role in the lens of an African village where the community is at the heart of everything. The PSW’s role in the community is one of a facilitator within the village and to support the community to adopt the values of Ubuntu. The ties that bind people together are strong, the welfare of everyone is paramount and there is an interconnectedness of the community. There is an African proverb that says "it takes a village to raise a child". Everyone in the village is important and we all have a part to play to ensure that we offer the children and families a good service’.

Louise Spragg

Louise is PSW and Strategic Lead for Practice at Telford and Wrekin Children’s Services. She is Co-Chair of the National Children and Families PSW Network, and Co-Chair of the regional PSW West Midlands Network 

‘I have experience spanning over 20 years within social care statutory services as a practitioner and as a leader. I am passionate about co-production - hearing from people who experience services to influence meaningful change.

I am passionate about relationships, and these are at the heart of all that we do to work together to support children, young people and their parents/carers. I firmly believe in leading from the heart and role modelling this in practice’. 

Sancha Thomas 

With over 22 years of dedicated service at Luton Council, Sancha is a qualified social worker since 2017 and a committed practice educator. She is Vice Chair of the National Children and Families PSW Network.

‘My career has been shaped by a deep passion for creating meaningful changes within the social care system, promoting equality, and ensuring that the voices of children are heard and valued.

I particularly enjoy direct work with children, where I can build trust, offer support and advocate for their best interests. As both a practitioner and mentor I strive to inspire positive outcomes through reflective practice and systemic improvement’.

Leanne Morgan

Leanne has spent the entirety of her career to date working within statutory Children’s Services. Leanne is passionate about social work development and remaining curious and inquiring, framing her own practice on principals of social pedagogy and motivational interviewing. She is Vice Chair of the National Children and Families PSW Network.

With a strong lens on learning and practice development, Leanne has an interest in exploring lateral career pathways and keeping expertise and experience within the Social Work profession. She is committed to ensuring the voice of children and young people is actively sought, acknowledged, and contributes to positive action and change. Leanne lives in Wales, where she enjoys time with family, paddleboarding community activism.  

Lisa Cummings

Lisa Cummings is PSW and Service Manager for Quality Assurance, Practice Improvement, and the Academy at Sefton Children’s Services. She is Vice Chair of the National Children and Families PSW Network.

‘With 29 years of experience across local authority, the third sector, further education, and CAFCASS, I’ve worked as a practitioner, trainer, and leader. I am currently attending a North West Child Sexual Abuse Practice Leader course, an area of practice I’ve long been dedicated to understanding and improving. 

Most recently, I’ve been part of Sefton’s improvement journey from “inadequate” to “good,” and I’m passionate about sharing learning and good practice to help other local authorities enhance the experiences of children and families. I’m committed to amplifying the voices of those we support and work closely with multi-agency partners to make that happen. 

I am Vice Chair of the Sefton Safeguarding Children Partnership Learning and Development Subgroup, and a Link Officer for Research in Practice. Supporting practitioners and managers to do their best work is a priority for me—especially when it comes to nurturing Newly Qualified Social Workers. I am looking forward to supporting the National Children and Families PSW network as one of the Vice Chairs'.