Parenting & substance use

Leanne Ellaway has been a registered social worker since qualifying from the University of Bristol in 2006. With almost two decades of experience across both voluntary and statutory sectors, she has worked in a range of roles including as a Practitioner, Senior Social Worker, Team Manager, Parental Substance Misuse Social Worker and Adult and Child Safeguarding Lead for drug and alcohol services in Bristol.

Throughout her career, she has developed extensive expertise in homelessness, mental health, substance misuse, domestic abuse, and safeguarding. She has significant experience of undertaking complex casework, completing specialist assessments, supervising staff, writing policies and procedures, providing safeguarding advice, delivering training, and working collaboratively with partner agencies to improve outcomes for individuals and families.

As a qualified Practice Supervisor and Practice Educator, Leanne is experienced in supporting, assessing, and mentoring student social workers throughout their professional development.

Now working as a freelance social worker and trainer, Leanne delivers engaging, evidence-based training on a range of specialist topics, including parenting and substance use, pregnancy and substance use, and non-fatal strangulation. She is also a qualified Independent Domestic Violence Advisor (IDVA) and an accredited facilitator of the Freedom Programme.