Le'Siran Edwards

To my fellow social workers: If you haven’t listened to “Dear Social Worker, Let’s Talk” by Le-Siran Edwards, especially the episode “You Don’t Have to Shrink to Survive as a Social Worker,” I really encourage you to check it out. So much of our work can push us into survival mode managing risk, holding trauma, navigating systems, and constantly being told to “be resilient” without being given space to actually breathe. What I love about this community is that it creates a space where we don’t have to armour up, tone ourselves down, or pretend we’re unaffected. Le-Siran speaks with honesty, warmth, and compassion about what it means to do this work without losing yourself in it. It’s a reminder that we can show up fully not just as practitioners, but as people with voices, identities, limits, and strengths that matter. Listening to this podcast made me feel seen and reminded me that: We don’t have to shrink to survive Boundaries and self-care are not selfish Our wellbeing is part of ethical practice We deserve communities that nourish us, not drain us If you’re looking for connection, validation, or simply a reminder that you’re not alone in navigating the emotional weight of this profession, this is a community worth being part of. Let’s stop doing this work in isolation. Let’s build spaces where we can learn, reflect, laugh, cry, and grow without apologising for taking up space. If you’re a social worker who wants to feel supported, grounded, and empowered I genuinely think you’ll find something meaningful here.

When I first came to coaching, I felt completely stuck. I’d lost my way with my social work career and was overwhelmed by all the different pathways. I didn’t know which direction suited me or what aligned with my strengths or purpose. On top of that, I’d been dealing with micro-aggressions and feeling unseen as a Black woman at work, and it really knocked my confidence. Coming back from maternity leave left me feeling out of touch with myself, my identity, and my faith. I just didn’t feel grounded. I chose coaching because I was tired of feeling stagnant and going round in circles in my own mind. I’d been praying for clarity and guidance, and something in me finally said, “Just do it. You can’t stay like this.” From the very first session, things started to shift. Coaching helped me understand my career options properly for the first time. I gained clarity about which roles fit my strengths and where I genuinely felt called to be. I realised I’m meant for strategic work — influencing decisions, improving systems, and making change from the inside out. I even applied for LADO and Team Manager roles. Before coaching, I would never have put myself forward for them. Even though I wasn’t successful, I asked for feedback confidently and saw the applications as progress, not failure. My confidence also grew in ways I didn’t expect. Instead of letting other people’s behaviour drain me, I started thinking, “What do I actually have control over?” I became more assertive, more open, and more honest about how I was feeling. I had conversations I would have avoided before, and it actually strengthened my relationships at work. A better support system formed around me, and I stopped feeling so isolated. People even started coming to me more naturally, and I felt more settled and more myself. A big part of this journey was reconnecting with my faith. Coaching helped me return to God with more focus and intention. I started reading my Bible again, praying with purpose, and even talking more openly about my faith at work — something I normally only did if I felt it was “safe”. Listening to the Dear Christian Social Worker podcast helped me walk with purpose, pray with expectation, and see God’s hand in my career. It reminded me that God wouldn’t put something on my heart if He hadn’t equipped me for it. I also learnt a lot about who I am. I realised that although I thought I believed in myself, I wasn’t actually living like I did. Coaching helped me re-centre myself, especially after becoming a mum and feeling like a part of me had been lost. I’ve become more reflective, more open, and more willing to be vulnerable — and that’s helped me grow more than I expected. By the end of the programme, I felt clearer, stronger, and more grounded. I know now that strategic leadership is where I’m heading, and I’m taking real steps towards it. I’m not stagnant anymore — I’m moving forward, taking action, and trusting God with the process. I’ve already told my friends to get coaching because it’s genuinely helped me to think clearly, plan properly, and hold myself accountable. For me, coaching has become a form of self-care — something I encourage others to do, but never used to give myself permission for. I started this journey praying for direction, and coaching genuinely felt like the answer to that prayer. I’ve planted the seeds, I’ve watered them, and now I’m ready to keep growing and see it all blossom. I highly recommend Le'Siran's coaching.

Its a well detailed and honest account of Le'Siran's experience as a social worker. I enjoyed the Work Life Boundaries tool!

When I started coaching, I felt wobbly, confused and unsure. My work had started to consume who I was as a person. I wasn’t looking after myself, I didn’t feel supported, and I didn’t even know myself well enough to ask for what I needed. I’d lost the joy and clarity that once drove me. I knew I couldn’t untangle it alone. I needed space — to think, to feel, and to make sense of what was happening. Coaching gave me that. It wasn’t about fixing me; it was about helping me see what was and wasn’t mine to carry. Through coaching, I’ve learned to separate me from the job. I’ve realised it’s okay to pause, to check in with myself, to stop drifting along with the current and take charge of my own flow. The tools have been powerful: 🌀 The Emotion and Needs Wheel helped me reconnect with feelings I’d forgotten — even the positive ones. 🪞 Imagery and reflection exercises helped me get out of my head and make sense of my emotions. 🗓️ The Wellbeing Planner turned all the chaos in my mind into structure, calm, and action. I now notice when I’m slipping into old patterns — that tight knot in my stomach or throat reminds me to stop, take five minutes, and reset. I’m better at managing my diary, setting boundaries, and prioritising myself so I can do my best work. The biggest change? I’m clearer, calmer and more confident. I no longer feel everything is my fault. I can think with balance and make better decisions — which means the quality of my work, and the outcomes for children and families, have improved. Le’Siran’s coaching made me dig deep — never uncomfortably, but purposefully. She helped me reframe my thinking, find perspective, and rediscover the professional I’ve always been: tenacious, capable and committed. If you’re a social worker feeling how I did in Session 1 — overwhelmed, questioning yourself, losing sight of who you are — I’d say this: Get coaching. It’s not about changing you; it’s about giving you the space, tools and perspective to stay grounded and human in a system that often forgets you’re both. At my final (6th) coaching session, I feel liberated, grounded and calm. I’ve learned that I can rise above the puddle, stay true to myself, and move forward — lighter, brighter and fully in control.

I'm not sure how I managed to miss previous conferences, but I certainly wont be missing anymore! Although I'm not a social worker, as a clinician the event was more than appropriate for me. From awe inspiring presentations to the interesting workshops and amazing networking opportunities...Le'Siran and her team did a first class professional job. well done!

BDSC 2025 definitely built upon the previous year's conference. Packed of some great speakers and topics, it was definitely more than worth the ticket price.

Very good introduction it was nice to meet other speakers, sponsors and workshop hosts.

you can expect excellence upon excellence. Nothing is left to chance, all speakers, workshop facilitators and other contributors bring a unique area of expertise that 'enables' in every way.

Very informative and comprehensive.

Coaching with Le’Siran | Greater Chamber of Commerce [Future Faces Mentoring] I was matched with Le’Siran in Aug 2024 and we worked together till Aug 2025, at the time I struggled with perfectionism and leadership pressure. Le’Siran’s Sphere of Influence model helped me focus on what I could control, alleviating stress and increasing clarity. By the second session, I learned to prioritize and communicate assertively, reducing guilt and feeling more confident in delegating. Over the year, I became calmer, grounded, and more trusting of my team. I shifted from seeking external validation to trusting my own ideas and speaking up. I also created a new routine that helped me feel more connected at work. When job instability arose, Le’Siran’s tools helped me regain perspective and manage stress effectively. During conflicts, I refined my communication style, balancing directness with patience. 💬 Proud Moments: - Shifting my management style to clarity - Using tools like the Sphere of Influence and Mood Tracker - Trusting myself and communicating confidently Surprise: The answers were always within me. Le’Siran guided me to find my own insights through powerful questions. Recommendation: I highly recommend coaching, especially for those facing career challenges or self-doubt. The experience was transformative. "Be the version of me who no longer worries about everything at once, but knows where to start… and starts there."

Attended trauma informed self care workshop, it was very beneficial and made me realise some of the things I was feeling were down to trauma/work and it will help me recognise and address this.

Thank you Le'Siran for a positive transformational experience. I went from stressed out to cool, calm and collected. It is important to have these safe spaces when working in such a challenging environment. Looking forward to the next one.