Season 3, Episode 14, Alex Kemp on professional kindness in the helping professions

In this episode, Lisa Cherry is in conversation with Alex Kemp exploring professional kindness, culture and leadership. 

Alexander Kemp has been working with children and families for over 20 years. He holds a degree in social work and a masters of public administration.  He lives in Brighton with his husband who is a doctor working in intensive care.  Alex is care experienced. 

Alex has worked in senior roles within large organisations specialising in the provision of services to children and families who need help and protection and with children in care and care leavers.  Alex worked at Cafcass, the largest employer of social workers in the UK, as an assistant director for a large geographical area of England.  In this role, he worked in partnership with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in supporting the British Overseas Territories to develop and improve services for children and families.  He trained and coached senior leaders abroad to support their development.   

Alex’s last role was in the UK as one of Her Majesty’s Inspectors of children’s social care; he is the first known care experienced person to have held this position.  He inspected local authorities and other organisations including fostering agencies and children’s homes. 

Alex is one of only a handful of care experienced people in the UK who have progressed into such senior roles in large organisations responsible for providing help and support to children and families. He believes strongly that expertise by experience is undervalued.  He has recently established an organisation which aims to support organisations and practitioners across the helping professions explore how and kindness and reflection influence the way in which professionals work.  Alex also hopes to spend some time speaking, training and writing. 

Twitter - 
Alex - @AlexanderKempy
Lisa - @_lisacherry