Henry Smith
Henry graduated as a social worker in 2006. Following this he worked in various children and families social work settings before joining Frontline in 2016.
After graduating Henry worked for a Family Intervention Project (FIP) in Newcastle. Here he worked intensively with a small number of families, deemed to have multiple and complex needs. As caseloads were limited he really had a chance to form relationships with families and develop a systemic understanding of the issues that they faced. Working in this non-statutory setting also meant he was reliant on a relationship and theory based approach to social work and facilitating change, something that hugely influenced his practice in later roles.
Henry then moved to London and worked for Richmond Children’s Services, first in a referral and assessment team and later in a child protection team. Here he developed his interests in applying attachment theory and systemic practice in children’s social work.
Henry took the role as the consultant social worker (CSW) in Richmond in the first year of the Frontline programme, establishing what was then a brand new project. He was struck by how the core theories of motivational interviewing, systemic practice and social learning theory, coupled with the unit model, helped create some impressive outcomes for families. They also provided a rich learning experience for the participants he worked with.
Following two years in the CSW role he returned to the North East to establish Frontline in a new region, this time in the new role of practice educator. From September 2017 Henry will be relocating to the South East as the practice tutor for the Essex units.
Research interests
Applying systemic practice in a children’s social care setting, supervision in children’s social care, applying attachment theory in a children’s social care setting
Selected publications
‘Using Pathway Model Components as Counter-indicators in a Complex Child Protection Referral’, in Shemmings, D. and Shemmings Y. (2014) Assessing Disorganized Attachment Behaviour in Children. Jessica Kingsley: London
Contributor to: Community Care Inform (2015) Attachment knowledge and practice hub. Available at: http://www.ccinform.co.uk/knowledge-hubs/attachment-knowledge-and-practice-hub/ (accessed 28 May 2017)
Conference Presentations
Developing a systemic model of student supervision – a case study – National Association of Educators in Practice 2015
Teaching
Applying Systemic Ideas In Children’s Social Care – Kingston University 2014 – 201, Frontline programme teaching
Qualifications
Currently studying for a professional doctorate with the Tavistock and Portman as part of Frontline’s Practice Insights programme.
Master’s in Social Work
Postgraduate Diploma in Practice Education
Location: London
Frontline
Coram Campus
41 Brunswick Square
London
WC1N 1AZ
Meet the rest of my team

Charlie Whittaker
Charlie is the curriculum lead for motivational interviewing on the Frontline programme.

Henry Smith
Henry is a practice tutor for the East of England region.

Lara Parish-Mackin
Lara is a practice tutor for the South East and East of England regions.

Eugene Ogbewele
Eugene is a practice tutor in the London region.

Fran Feeley
Fran is a practice tutor for the London region.

Rebecca Brewer
Becky is principal practice tutor for the Midlands.

Julie Henry
Julie is a practice tutor in the North East region.

Ross Duncan
Ross is a practice tutor in the North East region.

Hannah Thompson
Hannah is a practice tutor for the Midlands.

Hannah Procter
Hannah is a practice tutor for the South East and East of England regions.

Emma Baker
Emma is the curriculum lead for social work practice and leadership.

Dr Azora Hurd
Azora is principal practice tutor for the Midlands.

Mandy Hope
Mandy is a practice tutor for the Midlands region.

Dr Lidija Godina
Lidija is a principal practice tutor for the London region.

Rebecca Booth
Rebecca is a practice tutor in the north east.