Meet the Team – Interview with Mark Willis, Chief Executive WillisPalmer
When Mark Willis didn’t become an overnight sensation as an international drummer in a rock n roll band, his mother – who incidentally had suspicions that he would make a very good social worker – took matters into her own hands. Mark’s mum was a senior nurse at Southend Borough Council and she approached the [...]
COVID-19 problems require a multi-disciplinary solution
The COVID-19 pandemic has had an impact on everybody although the hardest hit has been vulnerable children.
Mental health problems have increased and been exacerbated , calls to the National Domestic Abuse Helpline have risen drastically during lockdown meaning children have witnessed abuse and it has been widely accepted that abuse and neglect will [...]
Why social work can’t become too remote
Chief Executive of WillisPalmer Mark Willis on remote working within social work
‘Remote working’ has become the go-to phrase in many industries throughout the Covid-19 pandemic. Whole office blocks in London and other major cities remain deserted since March. The three big London investment banks HSBC, Citi and Goldman, having previously instructed staff [...]
Blog: Further evidence emerges of massive hike in child protection referrals in autumn
By Mark Willis, Chief Executive of WillisPalmer
It comes as no surprise that a report into how local authorities have coped with COVID-19 has revealed that respondents are concerned about a massive spike in referrals once children return to school .
WillisPalmer has been warning for months about the detrimental effect that a lengthy lockdown [...]
Blog: Complex cases require specialist intervention
WillisPalmer Chief Executive Mark Willis on a multi-disciplinary approach to tackling the emerging issues of lockdown
As referrals to children’s services departments are rising already with schools only back several weeks and Jaine Stannard, chief executive of School Home Support, a charity that supports disadvantaged state school pupils, warning of a “tsunami of safeguarding referrals” [...]
Local authorities need sustained investment to support vulnerable children post lockdown
WillisPalmer Chief Executive Mark Willis calls for investment in children’s services following 10 years of under-funding to enable them to help support vulnerable children bearing scars of lockdown
As prime minister Boris Johnson has announced certain further easing of restrictions imposed under lockdown, such as non-essential retailers re-opening and groups of six able to meet [...]
