Speaking to Sarah O'Donovan, a referral and assessment social worker at Barnet Council, it soon becomes clear why Ofsted's latest inspection of her department noted good staff morale, bolstered by a "strong leadership culture".
"The thing that really stands out in Barnet, particularly in the referral and assessment teams, is the way our managers are always available. No matter what your difficulty is, there's always someone you can talk to," says Sarah.
It is evidence of what Erica Ferrari, acting service manager for the social care division, refers to as an "open-door policy" between management and staff - one which ensures no member of frontline staff is alone in "carrying the risk". She says: "Our duty managers sit alongside their teams all through the week, offering advice and support as and when it's needed."
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