Welcome to Employer Zone Insights, a podcast from Community Care showcasing social work practice and leadership from around the country. This edition is brought to you in partnership with West Sussex County Council.

In this episode, we speak to Darlington Ihenacho, principal social worker in West Sussex County Council’s children's services about the improvement journey the council is on.

West Sussex County Council’s children services is showing positive signs of progress on its improvement journey which have been galvanised by the appointment of several members of senior leadership. Improvements have included how the council is supporting vulnerable children, their families and communities through its Children First Service Improvement Programme in a restorative and strength-based way.

Darlington talks about why the appointment of Lucy Butler, the executive director of children, young people and learning, was a strong draw for him to join the council. He also talks to us about how he is helping to put the social work voice and experience at the heart of the organisation and leadership of children’s services.

The episode covers:
- Insights into some of the drivers that attracted Darlington to the PSW role
- How his role is helping social workers amplify their voices
- An overview of West Sussex’s improvement journey progress.

Community Care readers can access additional resources and a written transcript on the Community Care website: https://www.communitycare.co.uk/