At its core, leadership is all about bringing people together around a shared ambition, inspiring others to move with that vision, securing the commitment and resources needed, and shaping a space where improvement, reflection and learning can genuinely happen. In social services, this is never simple, as leaders are working with tight budgets, pressures on the workforce, and priorities that can shift overnight because of political turmoil or funding limitations. Change sits within a context shaped by values of rights, inclusion and autonomy, the complexity of systems and partnerships, and a strong belief in the strength that diversity brings. Whilst initiating change can be difficult, sustaining positive developments can be even more challenging due to embedded cultures and established doctrines.
This pre-conference event is designed to bring together those with an interest in leadership to explore together the challenges of achieving positive change in social services in an honest and practical way. It will combine the insight of educators, researchers, and practice leaders, and be co-facilitated with people with lived experience of social services. Research evidence can inform how leadership can effectively respond to the context and challenges of social services, and evaluation methodologies can provide rigour and focus to improvement processes. This session will be a chance to learn from one another, share what works, question what does not, and build confidence in leading positive change.
Outcomes from the event include:
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Engaging with the latest research and theory regarding leadership of change in social services
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Learning from practical examples of leadership of change across Europe and the enablers and barriers encountered
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Understanding how research and evaluation methodologies can inform and support improvement activities during times of change.
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Connecting with colleagues to share insights and consider options for peer learning networks within ESN and beyond
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Reflecting on values and behaviours, and identifying opportunities to further enhance one’s own positive leadership practice.
Preliminary Programme:
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12:30: Check-in opens & Lunch
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13:15: Welcome, overview of the day and moving into groups
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13:30: Topic 1: Leadership in Practice, with presentations from Denmark and the Netherlands
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14:20: Leadership & Co-production, with presentations from lived experience experts based in the United Kingdom and Albania
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15:10: Coffee Break (& move into different groups)
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15:30: Leadership & Research, with presentations from Malta, Sweden the United Kingdom
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16:30: Group discussion: How can ESN support leadership in social services?
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16:50: Final thoughts & Next Steps
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17:00: Close
Presenters:
Robin MillerProfessor, University of Birmingham, United Kingdom ▼
Professor Robin Miller, UK, is an applied academic with an international reputation in relation to implementation, collaboration, and leadership based at the University of Birmingham. He has developed numerous development programmes for senior managers and professionals and is lead editor of the first international research handbook in leadership in social work and social care. Robin will be considering how change in social services can be 'strengths-based' and build on the assets of staff, organisations and communities.
Suela LalaBoard Member, European Network on Independent Living, Albania ▼
Suela Lala, Albania, has been a disability rights activist for over 15 years. She is Executive Director of Together Foundation, an organisation that promotes the rights of persons with disabilities and is one of the few organisations in Albania to focus on Independent Living. Suela will draw on practical examples where leadership by people with a disability has challenged paternalism to provide greater choice and control.
Isaac SamuelsKeynote Speaker, Facilitator, Visiting Lecturer & Anti-Racism Lead, Co-Production Collective Member, United Kingdom ▼
Isaac Samuels, UK, is a changemaker, storyteller and public service transformation lead. They are a person with lived experience of drawing on care and support in a UK social care context and currently work as a Lived Experience Lead Commissioning Officer, using co-production, inclusion and anti-racist practice to influence change. Isaac will share insights on how diverse leadership, including lived experience from racialised perspectives, can help create more responsive and equitable health and social care systems.
Marcel van DruenenDirector, Dutch Association of Professionals Public Social Domain, The Netherlands ▼
Marcel Van Druenen, Netherlands, is currently working as director of the (Dutch) Association of Professionals Public Social Domain. Craftsmanship and professionalisation have been his main interest during his career, both as manager and as consultant of Organisational Development and Social Innovation. Marcel will be exploring the potential tensions between professional autonomy and leaders encouraging professionals to adopt new ways of working and how these can be constructively resolved.
Rebecca Dalli GonziAssociate Professor, University of Malta ▼
Professor Rebecca Dalli Gonzi, Malta, is a consultant architect, project leader, and resident academic based at the University of Malta. She has contributed to discussions and debates on risk, public leadership, and project management and developed the DALI Model, a resource for risk management and decision-making during rapid organisational transformation. Rebecca will consider how this approach can be applied to positive change in social services.
Heidi HaveHead of Department, Older People Care Department, Health and Care, Municipality of Aarhus, Denmark ▼
Nanna Tinggaard NielsenNursing Home Principal, Borgvold, Older People Care Department, Municipality of Aarhus, Denmark ▼
Julie SørensenConsultant, Older People Care Department, Health and Care, Municipality of Aarhus, Denmark ▼
Julie Sørensen, Denmark, has an MSc specialising in public sector leadership, is a consultant and project leader in the municipality of Aarhus, and is co-researching with Aalborg University. Together with Heidi Have and Nanna Tinggaard Nielsen, Julie will share their experience on embedding person-centred care and leadership in public care homes, seeking to inspire interprofessional education and strengthen relational practice and professional focus on psychosocial well-being.
Birgitta PersdotterSenior Lecturer and Associate Professor in Social Work, Karlstad University, Sweden ▼
Birgitta Persdotter, Sweden, is an associate professor in Social Work and research leader at the R&D Welfare unit at Karlstad University. Together with Cecilia Karlstrom, she will share insights from NUSO (National Follow-up of the Social Services Transition), which combines systematic follow-up and research to establish a baseline and monitor changes over time across 124 of Sweden's 290 municipalities. Using both quantitative and qualitative analysis, NUSO identifies barriers and opportunities for leaders to improve support for vulnerable groups.
Cecilia KarlstromProject Manager, Swedish Association of Local Authorities and Regions (SALAR), Sweden ▼
