As an experienced senior manager in all aspects of children’s social care (9+ years), I have a proven track record of effective operational, strategic and systemic leadership and management, and expertise in developing and improving statutory social work services for children and families. 

Presentation Title: Inadequate to Outstanding: Learning from successfully changing our culture and approach to working with young people

After being judged ‘Inadequate’ by Ofsted in 2011, leaders at Cornwall Council embarked on a sustained program of cultural change to improve performance and outcomes for children, achieving an overall rating of ‘Good’ in 2016 and ‘Outstanding’ in 2019. One of the most important areas of change has been Cornwall’s culture and approach to working with young people at risk of exploitation. In this session, Cornwall will share learning from this successful journey of improvement. 

I am a clinical psychologist with a special interest in Autism and other neurodevelopmental conditions in both children and adults. 

I am also Research Associate at Kings College, London.

I currently work independently and manage a large team of clinicians, including Clinical and Educational Psychologists, Speech and Language, and Occupational Therapists.   My team and I are regularly commissioned by NHS commissioners to carry out assessments on highly complex young people.

Prior to setting up my own independent practice,  I worked as the lead clinician for and NHS CAMHS team, helping to set up one of the first truly multi-disciplinary Autism diagnostic teams.  Subsequently I worked in secure in-patient services within both adult and Child and Adolescent Mental Health services.

Whilst working in in-patient services, I became aware of the number of young people in crisis, many of whom were girls and young women, many of whom were undiagnosed autistic.  I subsequently wrote a book entitled ‘A Guide to Mental Health Issues in Girls and Young Women on the Autism Spectrum: Diagnosis, Intervention and Family Support’ which is published by Jessica Kingsley Publications.

I am currently engaged in writing another book with colleagues in health and social care, specifically examining ‘complex and perplexing’ presentations in autistic children and adults which is due to be published in December 2022.  In this book I shall be exploring issues such as Borderline (Emotionally Unstable) Personality Disorders, complex PTSD, sexual exploitation and vulnerability, and accusations of fabricated and induced illness.

Young autistic people and those with ADHD have been shown to be at increased risk of ‘polyvictimisation’ including sexual exploitation and abuse.  This has been linked to the young peoples’ challenges in the following areas:

• Responding appropriately in conversation
• Difficulties understanding their own and others’ behaviour and emotions
• Misunderstandings when reading non-verbal cues
• Difficulties with impulsivity and impulse control

In addition, many young people will have experienced bullying and rejection by peers and will have struggled with friendships and relationships.  As a result, they often become very vulnerable to exploitation and grooming by others.  This leaves them at significantly increased risk of suffering long-term trauma and mental health problems, including an increased risk of suicide and self-harm.

Sadly, many young people remain undiagnosed or misdiagnosed due to unhelpful stereotypes about Autism.

This talk will aim to outline the criteria for diagnosing autism when it does not present in a stereotypical fashion (with particular emphasis on girls, those who are unsure of their sexuality/gender and those from a black or minority ethnic background).

Strategies for identifying, educating and supporting these young people and their families will also be discussed.

Sukhdev joined the NWG in 2022. He is a qualified youth worker and has worked in the youth and community field for a significant number of years. His experience stems from working within both in statutory and 3rd sector organisations. More recently he has worked at a large children’s charity providing support advice and guidance to children and young people, families, communities, and professionals on Child Exploitation amongst other safeguarding issues. Sukhdev comes to the NWG with experience and knowledge of working with diverse communities and organisations.

Pav is a qualified social worker with a wide range of front-line experience gained through working with survivors of domestic violence, sexual violence, exploitation, honour-based violence and forced marriages.

Pav has led projects within the BAME communities around exploitation and abuse which have allowed her to build relationships within faith community groups.

Prior to joining the NWG, Pav has worked within the voluntary, health, statutory and law enforcement sectors, specialising in safeguarding and child protection.