Marian Williams

Marian Williams is a retired social work manager, employed by East Sussex County Council, Children Services from 1982 -2016.

As well as being a qualified social worker (CQSW) Marian was an approved social worker under Mental Health Act (ASW), she was a practice teacher for trainee social workers and holds a Diploma in Applied Social Studies and Post Qualification in social work.

During her career Marian’s work involved:
Safeguarding children and young people, youth offending, adoption, step parent adoption, Looked after Children, initial assessments of young people who self-harmed.

From 1997-2005 her work as Practice Manager in a Children’s Disability Team highlighted to Marian the importance of Children who have a learning disability being able to have the same opportunities as children without disabilities. A big part of this is accessing out of doors activities. Marian worked from 2005 until retirement as Team Leader ,with the Children Adolescent Mental Health Learning Disability Family Intensive Support Service.

It was in this team that she first started working with Circle Of Life Rediscovery. A project was born offering children who have a severe learning disability together with challenging behaviour and communication difficulties, and their whole family, a supported day in the woods. This project is into its seventh year and is as successful and valuable now as it was when it started. Following retirement Marian continues to volunteer on the Family Days and is actively involved in promoting the CLR project at local voluntary groups.

“I feel privileged to have been invited to join Circle of Life Rediscovery as a Director. I wholeheartedly value the benefits nature brings to children with severe learning disabilities and their families and indeed everyone.”