Aisha Yusuf
London,United Kingdom
Summary
I am a qualified Social Worker with a Master’s degree in Social Work and a strong background in safeguarding, mental health support, and relationship‑based practice. I am an empathetic, strengths‑based practitioner who builds trusting, supportive relationships with individuals experiencing distress, vulnerability, and complex mental health needs.
My Master’s thesis was awarded a Distinction and focused on promoting anti‑oppressive practice while maintaining the harm principle, strengthening my ability to balance empowerment, autonomy, and inclusion with effective risk management and safeguarding. This work continues to inform my ethical, person‑centred approach to practice.
In my current role as a Children and Families Social Worker, I assess and manage risk, respond to crises, and co‑produce support and safety plans that focus on strengths, resilience, and practical coping strategies. I have extensive experience working with mental health distress, trauma, and safeguarding concerns, and in liaising with NHS, third‑sector, and multi‑disciplinary services to ensure coordinated support.
I bring a strong understanding of education and youth contexts, work collaboratively with professionals across systems, and remain calm and reflective under pressure. I am motivated by supporting young adults to manage their mental health, maintain engagement with education, and develop confidence and independence.
Overview
7
7
years of professional experience
6
6
years of post-secondary education
Work history
Social worker
Brent Children's Social Care
London
2023.07 - Current
- Safeguarded vulnerable children and adults from harm and abuse in line with statutory duties, legislation, and local authority guidance.
- Built respectful, relational, and trusting partnerships with children, young people, and families to promote engagement, participation, and sustainable change.
- Completed timely and robust assessments of need, developed and reviewed care and safety plans, and progressed cases to improve outcomes and wellbeing.
- Identified, assessed, and managed safeguarding risks, undertaking investigations and protective action in partnership with multi‑agency professionals.
- Worked collaboratively with health, education, police, housing, and voluntary sector services to deliver coordinated and child‑centred interventions.
- Maintained accurate, analytical case records and prepared high‑quality reports for court proceedings, child protection conferences, and legal meetings.
- Chaired and contributed to multi‑agency meetings, ensuring effective information sharing, clear accountability, and implementation of safeguarding plans.
- Provided emotional and practical support through direct work, advocacy, life‑story work, and signposting to specialist and community services.
- Managed complex and high‑risk cases involving mental health, domestic abuse, addiction, sexual abuse, homelessness, immigration issues, and child exploitation.
- Applied professional judgement to make proportionate decisions, including use of legal powers, always prioritising the child’s best interests.
- Embedded strengths‑based, anti‑discriminatory, and anti‑racist practice, using frameworks such as Signs of Safety and reflective practice.
- Responded effectively to crises and safeguarding concerns, including out‑of‑hours interventions, ensuring timely action and escalation.
- Maintained statutory visiting requirements and undertook safety checks to ensure children’s ongoing protection.
- Engaged in supervision, training, and continuous professional development, and supported student social workers through mentoring and shadowing.
Student Social Worker
Step Up to Social Work/ West London Alliance
London
2022.01 - 2023.05
- Completed statutory and non‑statutory assessments under supervision, gathering information from children, families, and partner agencies.
- Built respectful, relational, and professional relationships with children, young people, and families to promote engagement and participation.
- Supported safeguarding processes by identifying risks, contributing to safety planning, and escalating concerns in line with local procedures.
- Undertook direct work with children and young people, including life‑story work, wishes and feelings, and strengths‑based interventions.
- Contributed to the development, implementation, and review of care, support, and child‑focused plans.
- Attended and contributed to multi‑agency meetings, child protection conferences, core groups, and reviews alongside qualified practitioners.
- Maintained accurate, timely, and reflective case records in accordance with professional standards and confidentiality requirements.
- Prepared written work including case notes, chronologies, and reports under guidance from practice educators.
- Worked collaboratively with professionals from health, education, police, and voluntary agencies to support coordinated interventions.
- Applied social work theories, legislation, and frameworks, including strengths‑based and restorative approaches, to practice.
- Demonstrated anti‑discriminatory, anti‑oppressive, and anti‑racist practice in work with service users and colleagues.
- Reflected on practice through supervision, learning logs, and academic study to improve professional development.
- Managed competing priorities and workloads effectively while working within the limits of student capability and supervision.
Link Worker
All Child (formally known as West London Zone)
London
2021.08 - 2021.12
- Built trusted relationships with children and young people at risk of disengagement, providing consistent emotional and practical support.
- Managed a caseload of students across partner schools, delivering 1:1 and small‑group interventions to improve wellbeing, engagement, and attendance.
- Co‑produced and coordinated individual support plans based on students’ strengths, needs, and goals, reviewing progress regularly.
- Supported young people to identify and achieve personal, educational, and social goals, building confidence and resilience.
- Delivered group and accredited interventions in safe, supportive environments.
- Acted as an advocate for children and young people, ensuring their voices and needs were represented within schools and partner services.
- Engaged and worked in partnership with parents and carers to strengthen family relationships and support positive change.
- Coordinated access to specialist support, including Early Help, local charities, and community‑based services.
- Built strong working relationships with teachers, pastoral staff, and multi‑agency professionals to join up support around the child and family.
- Maintained accurate records and monitored engagement with interventions to ensure continuity and impact of support.
Senior Children’s Programme Officer
UK Islamic Mission- Charity
London
2019.04 - 2021.06
- Provided oversight and support to children’s education programmes across eight countries, ensuring delivery aligned with organisational and donor objectives.
- Reviewed and evaluated existing international projects, making recommendations to improve impact, efficiency, and value for money.
- Collected, analysed, and monitored quarterly financial reports across all children’s projects, ensuring accountability and effective use of funds.
- Managed the release of funding to support the implementation and sustainability of global programmes.
- Researched and developed relationships with new international partners in line with annual programme goals.
- Acted as a key liaison with overseas partners, including hosting visiting partners in the UK and travelling internationally to monitor and evaluate projects on the ground.
- Supported programme monitoring and evaluation, identifying risks, progress, and areas for improvement.
- Delegated work, trained new staff, and supported team development within the Children’s Department.
- Assisted the Children’s Project Manager and stepped in as Acting Children’s Project Manager when required.
- Served as Safeguarding Lead across all international projects, ensuring safeguarding standards were embedded and concerns appropriately addressed.
- Maintained internal databases, managed donor records, and acted as first point of contact for partners and stakeholders.
Education
Master of Science - Social Work
University of Hertfordshire
Hatfield 2021.01 - 2024.08
Bachelor of Arts - English Literature & Creative Writing
York St John University
York 2012.09 - 2015.06
Skills
- Skilled in assessing suicide and self‑harm risk, identifying early warning signs, and implementing safety planning
- Experienced in responding to mental health crises calmly and effectively, following safeguarding and escalation protocols
- Strong ability to build trusting, therapeutic relationships that promote engagement and emotional resilience
- Experienced in co‑producing support plans that encourage independence, symptom management, and academic engagement
- Confident working with NHS services, third‑sector providers, and internal university support teams
- Committed to amplifying the voices of the most vulnerable and ensuring needs are reflected in decision‑making and support provision
- Skilled in supporting diverse student populations with cultural sensitivity and awareness
- Able to make defensible decisions, maintain boundaries, and uphold data protection and ethical standards
Timeline
Social worker
Brent Children's Social Care
2023.07 - Current
Student Social Worker
Step Up to Social Work/ West London Alliance
2022.01 - 2023.05
Link Worker
All Child (formally known as West London Zone)
2021.08 - 2021.12
Master of Science - Social Work
University of Hertfordshire
2021.01 - 2024.08
Senior Children’s Programme Officer
UK Islamic Mission- Charity
2019.04 - 2021.06
Bachelor of Arts - English Literature & Creative Writing
York St John University
2012.09 - 2015.06