Ruth Blayney

Ruth joined OPAL West Midlands after working in Children’s Services for 8 years, supporting some of the most vulnerable families in Birmingham.

A Practice Supervisor for the Family Group Conference Service, she was integral to the growth of the Service, and in establishing a culture shift with the organisation to improve lives and outcomes for children. Ruth worked with Social Workers, teachers, DSLs and other multi agency professionals where she led multi agency meetings, delivered training and managed a team ensuring that quality of practice was both innovative and of the highest possible standard.

Ruth’s particular focus was direct work with children, where she embedded and developed strategies across the team to engage and support young people through play, creativity and their own self-expression.

Previously Ruth was an outstanding Primary School teacher and Assistant Headteacher, with 8 years experience of teaching and leading in schools. Ruth gained a P.G.C.E. in Primary Education from the University of Exeter, specialising in Play in the Early Years. It was here that she learnt the true magic of play, and she has been shouting about it ever since.

Ruth enjoys running, reading and sewing, when not looking after her 2 young sons.