Meet social worker Matthew Devlin, our new head of strategic engagement

Social worker Matthew Devlin is Social Work England’s new head of strategic engagement. His role is to make sure we collaborate with everyone with an interest in social work. Many of you will have met his team of regional engagement leads (who are also registered social workers) or taken part in their workshops. The team provides professional insight across the organisation and acts as a vital link with social workers, employers, educators, students and people with lived experience of social work. They also lead Social Work Week and facilitate the National Advisory Forum.

We spoke to Matthew about his journey into social work and his new role.

Why did you want to become a social worker?

I grew up in Carlisle and like many of my friends growing up, I wanted to be a footballer. My dad worked in football and it was a huge part of my childhood. However at 16 I wasn’t offered a contract at Carlisle United. I then got very average GCSE results and had no real plan of what to do next. I ended up leaving home and working in a pub. I think on reflection (although my mam wasn’t too happy at the time), it gave me the space and time to consider what I really wanted to do.

Those years in hospitality developed my skill and passion for working with people. At 19 I began to see myself in a career based on building relationships. My auntie was a social worker who spoke so passionately and positively about the profession. Lots of conversations later, my decision was made….I wanted to be a social worker too.

How did you become a social worker?

I did an access course at Carlisle College, so I could study social work at the University of Cumbria.

At school and college I had always needed to work very hard for average results. University really challenged me, but I was totally committed to becoming a social worker. My cohort of students and the teaching staff were brilliant and I thrived. I forged some great peer relationships with people I would continue to work closely with in practice. In 2009 I graduated with a BA hons degree in social work, which was awarded by the University of Lancaster.

What was your first job in social work?

It was with the older adults team at Cumbria County Council, where I had done my 70 day degree placement. It was the perfect environment to start my social work career, with a great manager, supportive culture and a collective commitment to improve the lives of people we were working with.

Over the next 10 years I worked in a variety of roles at the Council. I progressed to a team manager and then into a practice development role at the social work teaching partnership between Cumbria County Council and the University of Lancaster. I’m incredibly grateful to Cumbria County Council for giving me so many opportunities. I learned so much from some amazing social workers and people with lived experience of social work.

What’s your best piece of advice for newly qualified social workers?

Be curious, learn to listen and cherish the opportunity to build relationships.

Why did you join Social Work England?

I’m proud to be a social worker and determined to achieve positive change for my profession.

Collaboration has been the foundation for the whole of my social work career and is a fundamental value for Social Work England. The power of collaboration and relationships was instilled in me during my degree and student placements. I have kept it front and centre in all the roles I have held since, so Social Work England seemed like the right step for me.

I became the regional engagement lead for the North West in 2019. This was my chance to build relationships on a huge scale, with thousands of social workers.

Highlights and most challenging moments of your career?

Next year will be my 15th year as a registered social worker. Like most social workers, I have had moments that have challenged me both professionally and emotionally. When I reflect back I don’t focus on those difficult moments. I focus on the people I have worked with and supported, the relationships I have built and the change I have influenced.

It was a highlight to help build the new regulator. It was so important for me to join an organisation which recognised that the people who were affected by its work should be given the opportunity to participate in and influence its development. Effective co-production and engagement continues to improve everything Social Work England does and the impact we have. Ultimately it’s about improving people’s lives.

My recent career highlight was progressing to Head of Strategic Engagement. My ambition is to ensure that our strategic and operational delivery remains inclusive and co-produced with those who have lived and learned experience of social work. It is inspiring to work with such a knowledgeable and passionate team. They have a wealth of experience across the social work profession and put practice insight at the centre of Social Work England.

What are the top 3 sector issues on your radar?

• the wellbeing of social workers
• recruitment and retention
• workforce reform

What are your passions outside social work?

I have an amazing wife and 2 very special daughters. As a family we love spending time in Tynemouth and Whitley Bay. It’s a place we first visited when my eldest daughter was 2 and we have loved it ever since. We live in Cumbria so it’s not far from us. Our ‘happy place’ as a family is sitting on Longsands beach, with some fish, chips and curry sauce. My passion is to do that as much as possible.

What’s next?

Look out for the ticket launch for Social Work Week 2024! It’s been a huge success for the engagement team and I’m proud of my role in it since its launch 4 years ago. It’s been adopted by the sector as one of the social work events of the year and gives us the chance to learn, connect and influence with thousands of people. I’m looking forward to seeing you all there.