Sam Fern

Samantha Fern

Head of Practice

Samantha qualified as a social worker in 2007. She completed the post-graduate diploma in applied systemic theory in 2013. Samantha has 15 years’ experience of working with children and families in statutory, hospital and court settings, including the Family Drug and Alcohol Court. She has worked as a frontline social worker, practice supervisor and manager.

She has held a position as principal social worker in a London authority and led on strategy to ensure children who are missing and vulnerable to child sexual exploitation were offered the right service. She then moved into a contextual safeguarding lead role before coming into post as Head of Practice in Collective Space.

In this role, Samantha is responsible for overseeing all social work and clinical work with children and families and ensuring that practitioners are supported to deliver excellent practice. She has particular experience and expertise in engaging families, assessing parenting capacity and delivering interventions where there are particular areas of complexity relating to need and risk. She is passionate about the use of systemic practice in social work. She is not afraid to take risks in having courageous conversations with families. Families appreciate Samantha’s transparent and ethical approach to her work with them.

“I wish to thank all the social workers, and especially Sam, for her wonderful support and encouragement throughout these past few months. Sam has been a huge and tremendous support!
Special Guardian applicant, Inner London Local Authority