About Us

Mentoring Partners (MPs) are experienced Black, Asian, and 'ethnic minority' professionals from a variety of disciplines, including health, education, adults, and children's social care. MPs have excelled in their field and can relate to personal and professional experiences, dilemmas, and challenges encountered along the way and will share effective strategies for moving forward.

Jac has over 25 years of experience working in children’s social care as a social worker, clinical manager, and registered manager. Since 2002, she has worked as a systemic psychotherapist and is currently part of a joint NHS and Local Authority initiative embedding a systemic approach into social work practice.

She was also involved in the Practice Supervisor Development Programme (PSDP)(headed by Research in Practice from 2018 – 2022) and was involved in helping shape the systemic component of the programme. As a PSDP 1:1 facilitator, she provided over 500 hours of reflexive conversation to supervisors and senior managers, exploring challenges and dilemmas of day-to-day practice and how theory can inform their work.

Jac established VOW and designed the All in a Day’s Work – Metro Map, the PRACTISINGRACE framework, and 3S’s^© tool due to her own experiences and listening to stories of inequitable practice.

“When racism occurs, practitioners feel isolated, unsupported, and uncertain of what to do next, which can profoundly impact self-esteem, confidence, and practice. I have seen the efficacy of providing independent spaces to think things through. Sadly, there are no social care funded resources specifically aimed at helping practitioners create meaningful strategies to combat inequitable practice. VOW is dedicated to this cause.”