Dr Sylvia B Smith
Founder of Incline Training Consultants LTD
FHEA, SWE Registered, MBASW
Dr Sylvia B. Smith is a social work educator and leader, directing Incline Training Consultants Ltd to provide bespoke training, clinical supervision, leadership coaching and team consultancy. She also partners with Research In Practice, holds senior roles in fostering, adoption and charitable organisations, and hosts the “Social Workers Matter” podcast as part of her community advocacy in trauma-informed, anti-racist social work.
100
+
Students Taught
50
+
Mentored
40
+
Years
Experienced
About Sylvia
Background
Dr. Sylvia B Smith is a distinguished social work professional with
nearly 40 years of experience. She is a former Associate Lecturer
and Course Lead at the Tavistock & Portman NHS Trust, and
continues to teach on the Master's in Social Work programme. Dr.
Smith is an active Doctoral Supervisor at the Tavistock & Portman
NHS Trust in partnership with Essex University PhD programme.
As the founder of Incline Training Consultants Ltd, she provides
independent training, clinical supervision, leadership
consultation, coaching, and mentoring services.
Dr. Smith's expertise spans various areas including youth and
community work, child protection, complex children & family
assessments, mental health, looked after children, fostering &
adoption, and unaccompanied minors. She is also a contributor to anti-racism in social work practice, education, and leadership. Her approach is informed by psycho-social, systemic, and relationship-based
methodologies. Dr. Smith is also deeply committed to anti-racist
social work practice, trauma-informed practice, and
compassionate leadership.
What we offer
Scope Of Services
Leadership & Management Training
1-2-1 & Team Based Consultation
Clinical Supervision
Audio/Video Broadcasting
Podcast
Social Workers Matter
Hosted by Dr Sylvia Smith since August 2019, the podcast has released over 90 episodes on a monthly schedule
Interview‐based format featuring one‐on‐one conversations with social work and allied professionals about their career journeys, practice insights, and sector challenges
Core themes include exploring the realities and celebrating the successes of social work practice, management, and education, with special focus on anti-racist practice, trauma-informed care, compassionate leadership, and reflective supervision
Tailored to support aspiring, newly qualified, and seasoned social workers by offering practical wisdom, professional reflections, and “reclaiming social work” perspectives
Available across major platforms—including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and TuneIn
Experience
Empowering and leading the Social Work Space across the UK
Mentor and Speaker
Dr Smith supervises doctoral candidates on the PhD Social Work programme at the Tavistock & Portman NHS Trust in partnership with the University of Essex, providing ethnographic and psycho-social guidance to early researchers.
She also offers clinical supervision and one-to-one leadership mentoring through her consultancy, Incline Training Consultants Ltd, and supports foster carers on equality, diversity and inclusion issues.
Dr Smith speaks at conferences, leadership forums, and professional development events on anti-racist practice, social work leadership, and the scholar-practitioner role. If you are looking for a keynote that challenges, informs, and moves people — feel free to reach out.
Doctor
Holding a Professional Doctorate in Social Work awarded by the University of East London in collaboration with the Tavistock & Portman NHS Foundation Trust, Dr Smith’s research focuses on the emotional and relational dynamics of frontline social work management. As a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, she lectures on advanced social work modules and contributes to continuing professional development programmes within the Tavistock & Portman NHS Trust.
Her work spans leadership development, commissioned evaluation, and the advancement of anti-racist frameworks in social work organisations and higher education. She brings a scholar-practitioner lens to everything she does — grounded in critical theory, psychoanalytic organisational thinking, and a deep commitment to social justice.
Trainer and Consultant
As founder of Incline Training Consultants Ltd, she develops and delivers bespoke training programmes, team consultation, leadership coaching and mentoring across statutory, voluntary and private sectors.
She is also an Associate Trainer Consultant with Research In Practice – National Children’s Bureau, partnering with specialist colleagues to design and deliver workshops and consultancy services for social care professionals nationwide.
Whether you are commissioning an evaluation, developing your organisation’s anti-racist practice strategy, or looking for leadership development that goes beyond compliance — Dr Smith offers consultancy that is rigorous, relational, and rooted in evidence.
Testimonial
What They Say
“I have had the privilege of inviting Dr. Sylvia Smith to present modules on a Therapeutic Foster Care Program based in Ireland over the last 2 years. Dr Smith presented modules on Diversity and Inclusion, and Becoming an Anti-racist practitioner, which were presented to foster carers and social work/care practitioners. Her interactive and participatory approach coupled with her gentle and engaging style of presentation put the groups at ease for what can be difficult subject matter to think about, especially for a predominantly white group. Her use of case studies and lived experience brought the subject matter to life and deepened the learning of the group, leaving the group eager to hear and learn more. I couldn’t recommend her training highly enough, we were privileged to have such a knowledgeable and skilled trainer facilitate on and enhance our training program.”
Andrew Kennedy - Social Care Manager
“I have worked with Sylvia for several years in different capacities and our co-facilitator relationship is one of the best and most memorable that I have experienced. She is a true partner, one that I feel I can be myself with, share wisdom and experiences, cultivate skills, hold a reflective space and importantly, laugh, together. Sylvia has been an inspirational leader, coach, teacher, facilitator, podcaster, writer, colleague and friend and a joy to be around. Her contribution to anti-racist practice, leadership and supervision has influenced me personally and professionally. I am grateful that we crossed paths at work and to have her in my network. Any individual or group needing a containing, empathic, safe, kind, calm and wise facilitator will experience this with Sylvia..”
Jo Williams - Freelance Trainer & Consultant Social Worker
“Sylvia’s team consultations were a game-changer for our child protection unit. Through systemic mapping and trauma-informed reflections, she guided us to surface and resolve long-standing dynamics that were holding us back. Her anti-racist lens ensured every voice was heard, and we now collaborate more effectively than everI’ve had the privilege of knowing and working alongside Dr Smith and I continue to be inspired by her thoughtful approach, deep knowledge, and her grounding in theoretical psychological frameworks. Her demonstrative commitment to elevating voices across social work and related professions, offering a platform where experts share insights that are both practical and profound.
What stands out most is the compassionate and insightful way she used her podcast during the COVID-19 pandemic. At a time when many were seeking clarity and connection, she provided both.”
Dr Arlene Weekes - Author, Academic & Consultant
Dr. Smith was engaged to conduct an external evaluation for a highly sensitive initiative. Given the nature of the work, it was essential to partner with a consultant who combined scholarly integrity with warmth, professionalism, and the ability to provide an honest, objective assessment of progress made.
Her thoughtful and approachable manner created a safe and trusting environment in which participants felt comfortable openly sharing their thoughts, feelings, and observations. At the same time, she maintained a high level of analytical rigor, ensuring that findings were balanced, credible, and constructive.
Dr. Smith demonstrated exceptional listening skills, empathy, and professionalism throughout the process.
Her ability to engage stakeholders respectfully while also offering clear, evidence-based insights added significant value to the evaluation. We would highly recommend her to organisations seeking a consultant who brings both academic excellence and genuine human connection to complex and sensitive work.
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