Leah Willis

Specialist Trauma-Informed Family Practitioner with extensive experience within Edge of Care, children in care, and family reunification. I deliver high-impact, relational interventions to support young people with complex needs, including trauma, exploitation risk, emotional dysregulation, and placement instability. My work focuses on supporting transitions from residential care into foster placements and family reunification, strengthening family systems, and promoting long-term stability and emotional safety.

I utilise a relational, attachment-informed approach, guided by PACE (Playfulness, Acceptance, Curiosity, and Empathy), to build trust, support identity development, and enable meaningful change. I am experienced in managing complex caseloads and working within multi-agency systems, contributing to safeguarding, care planning, and decision-making processes. I provide professional challenge where needed to ensure interventions remain child-centred, effective, and outcome-focused.

Known for my ability to engage hard-to-reach young people and build strong relationships with families and professionals, I bring a calm, emotionally attuned, and authoritative presence to complex situations.

Family Practitioner at Reconnect (Plymouth council) (2025-07 – Present)

• Provide intensive, trauma-informed support to children and families, including those currently in care, working within an Edge of Care framework.
• Support transitions from residential placements to foster care and reunification home, promoting stability, emotional safety, and long-term outcomes.
• Manage complex caseloads, delivering tailored, outcome-focused interventions to reduce risk and support placement stability.
• Build strong, trusting relationships with young people using a relational and PACE-informed approach (Playfulness, Acceptance, Curiosity, Empathy).
• Support children presenting with complex needs including trauma, exploitation risk, emotional dysregulation, and mental health difficulties.
• Work systemically with families to strengthen relationships, support reunification, and increase parental capacity.
• Collaborate with multi-agency professionals including social workers, education, CAMHS, and residential settings to coordinate care planning.
• Contribute to safeguarding processes, care planning, and statutory review meetings, advocating for the best outcomes for children and families.
• Deliver one-to-one and family-based interventions focused on emotional regulation, identity, resilience, and healthy relationships.
• Maintain accurate, high-quality case recordings and reports in line with statutory and organisational requirements.

Adolescent practitioner (Edge of care) at Devon (2024-11 – Present)

• Deliver intensive, trauma-informed interventions to prevent children entering care, working within the Bridges framework
• Lead on family-based intervention work focused on repair, reconnection, and sustainable change, supporting reunification and placement stability
• Apply specialist approaches including the Bridges Framework, Non-Violent Resistance (NVR), and Dyadic Developmental Practice (DDP) to strengthen family relationships and reduce conflict
• Support parents to implement therapeutic and connective parenting strategies, increasing emotional attunement, consistency, and confidence
• Deliver structured interventions focused on repairing attachment relationships, rebuilding trust, and restoring parental authority in a safe and relational way
• Work directly with young people presenting with trauma, emotional dysregulation, exploitation risk, and complex behavioural needs
• Deliver targeted interventions to reduce risk, stabilise home environments, and prevent escalation into care or higher-level placements
• Facilitate both one-to-one and systemic family work, promoting emotional regulation, identity development, and resilience
• Provide professional challenge and reflective input within multi-agency networks, influencing care planning and decision-making
• Collaborate with social workers, CAMHS, education, and residential settings to ensure coordinated and consistent intervention plans
• Contribute to safeguarding processes, risk assessments, and reviews, ensuring child-centred, outcome-focused practice
• Maintain high-quality, analytical case recording evidencing impact, relational change, and measurable outcomes

Family practitioner (Brain injuries) at Case management LTD (2022-11 – 2024-08)

• Provided intensive, one-to-one support to a private client with an acquired brain injury within the family home, working within a complex safeguarding and child protection context
• Supported the client in her role as a parent, enabling her to safely care for her baby while working alongside Child Protection and Child in Need plans
• Delivered structured interventions to develop parenting capacity, including boundaries, routines, and safe caregiving practices
• Supported the client to understand early attachment, child development (0–5), and the emotional needs of her child, promoting secure attachment and bonding
• Applied a trauma-informed and relational approach to support both the client's recovery and her parenting journey
• Worked collaboratively with social workers, health professionals, and multi-agency teams to ensure the safety and wellbeing of both mother and child
• Managed risk and safeguarding concerns, contributing to assessment, planning, and review processes
• Supported emotional regulation, confidence, and independence, enabling the client to function effectively within her parenting role
• Delivered practical and therapeutic support to maintain a safe, structured, and nurturing home environment
• Maintained accurate, professional records in line with safeguarding and legal requirements

Homeless Officer at Oak leaf housing (2020-11 – 2022-11)

• Supported individuals and families experiencing homelessness, housing instability, and complex life challenges.
• Assisted clients to secure and maintain accommodation, including completing housing applications, bidding processes, and accessing benefits.
• Built strong, trusting relationships through a compassionate, non-judgemental, and emotionally attuned approach.
• Conducted risk assessments and implemented safeguarding measures to ensure the safety and wellbeing of service users.
• Worked collaboratively with multi-agency professionals, including drug and alcohol services, mental health teams, and counselling services.
• Signposted individuals to appropriate support services to promote long-term stability and independence.
• Incorporated creative and holistic approaches into support work, including journaling, nature-based activities, and wellbeing-focused interventions.
• Maintained professional boundaries while offering consistent, reliable, and person-centred support.

Refuge Support Worker at Trident Reach (2017-10 – 2020-11)

Provided frontline support to women and children fleeing domestic abuse, ensuring safety, stability, and emotional wellbeing.

• Conducted risk assessments and safety planning, including supporting high-risk cases in line with safeguarding procedures.
• Built trusting, trauma-informed relationships with service users, offering consistent emotional support during crisis and transition.
• Supported women to rebuild independence, including accessing housing, benefits, legal services, and community resources.
• Worked collaboratively with multi-agency professionals including social services, police, MARAC, and healthcare providers.
• Advocated for clients, ensuring their voices were heard within professional settings and that their needs were prioritised.
• Maintained accurate case records and contributed to support planning and reviews.
• Supported children within the refuge, promoting emotional safety and stability during periods of upheaval.
• Managed challenging and crisis situations calmly, maintaining a safe and supportive environment at all times.

Manager and Director (2016-07 – 2017-08)

• Owned and managed a successful tattoo studio, overseeing day-to-day operations and business performance.
• Managed bookings, client consultations, and service delivery, ensuring a high standard of customer care and professionalism.
• Built strong client relationships, creating a welcoming, inclusive, and culturally aware environment.
• Handled financial responsibilities including budgeting, pricing, and income management.
• Ensured compliance with health, safety, and hygiene regulations.
• Promoted the business through social media and word-of-mouth, increasing client engagement and retention.
• Demonstrated strong organisational, leadership, and problem-solving skills in a fast-paced environment.

Senior Support Worker/Acting team Leader at Precious Homes Ltd (2006-07 – 2016-07)

• Led shifts within a residential setting supporting individuals with complex mental health needs and challenging behaviours.
• Provided consistent, trauma-informed care to service users presenting with emotional dysregulation, behavioural crises, and high support needs.
• Managed and de-escalated crisis situations, ensuring the safety of service users and staff at all times.
• Supervised and supported staff team members, providing guidance, mentoring, and leadership during shifts.
• Contributed to care planning, risk assessments, and behavioural support strategies tailored to individual needs.
• Promoted independence, emotional wellbeing, and daily living skills through structured support and engagement.
• Worked collaboratively with multi-agency professionals including mental health services, social workers, and external providers.
• Maintained accurate records and ensured compliance with safeguarding procedures and organisational standards.
• Built strong, therapeutic relationships with service users to support stability and long-term progress.

Master's degree in Youth and children – The Open University (2025-10)

Bachelor of Science in Psychology and counselling – Newman University (2024-10 – 2024-10)

NVQ level 3 in Health and social care (2011-01 – 2011-09)

NVQ level 2 and 3 in Beauty Therapy – Sandwell College (2004 – 2007)

Diploma in Biomedicine – College of Naturopathy Nutrition