Steve Inett Consultancy utilises the breadth of knowledge and experience I have from nearly thirty years in health, social care, housing, education and voluntary sector roles. The skills and training I have amassed over that time give organisations and communities the best possible opportunity to make real positive change and improvement
About me
My career has been dedicated to empowering people who are disadvantaged, helping to amplify their voices and empower them to achieve their goals and bring about a fairer system to support them to do so.
Growing up in an East Kent mining village during the miners strike in the 1980’s showed me the hardship people can go through. Since then, I have worked in services that aim to improve the system and address inequalities; nursing, social work, community development, adult learning, housing, homelessness, advice and Healthwatch.
Below you can find more about me and my experience.
Chair of the Kent & Medway VCSE (Voluntary, Community & Social Enterprise) Steering Group
I have been the Chair of the Steering Group since December 2023.
The VCSE Steering Group is an independent, voluntary body comprising of VCSE leaders from different parts of the sector. The group is a recognised and respected voice for the sector with regular engagement with Kent County Council, District Council Leaders, national bodies like NAVCA and NHS England and the NHS Integrated Care System. Our role is to ensure issues facing the sector are highlighted to key stakeholders in the county and lobby on your behalf to effect positive change.
Associate of The Health Creation Alliance
Since October 2023 I have undertaken a range of projects and events with the Health Creation Alliance.
The Health Creation Alliance is the leading national cross-sector movement improving health and wellbeing and reducing health inequity through Health Creation.
Their mission is to increase the number of years people live in good health in every community. Their ambition is for Health Creation to become business as usual, embedded in systems alongside the treatment of illness and prevention of ill health.
They provide a space and a platform where action, thought leadership and influencing meet; a spread mechanism for health creating practice on the ground.
A not-for-profit community interest company, THCA’s membership comprises passionate professionals from many sectors and levels of seniority, community leaders, and people with lived experience of poverty, trauma or discrimination working together as equal partners. Their legitimacy and credibility come from our deep connection to our members and partners.
Associate with the Consultation Institute
From May 2020 until it’s closure in September 2024, I was an Associate with the Consultation Institute, offering advice and guidance, quality assurance and training on the Law of Consultation. I helped develop tCI online training packages for Healthwatch England and delivered bespoke tCI equalities training to local Healthwatch.
I delivered the core training course Introduction to the Law of Consultation 2023 to 2024.
Associate with Traverse
Traverse were a social research organisation. They were commissioned by Healthwatch England to develop a toolkit for Local Healthwatch to enable them to work effectively with the developing NHS integrated care system (ICS). I Provided bespoke support to Local Healthwatch to develop collaboration agreements and Memorandum of Understanding with their local ICS.
Associate with HICO
Since 2021 I have been an associate with HICO, a collective of people providing practical help, advice and support primarily to the public sector and not-for-profit organisations, mainly in Wales.
I undertook housing support strategies and needs assessments for 4 areas in South Wales.
From December 2013 to March 2020 I was Chief Officer of Engaging Kent CIC incorporating Healthwatch Kent and then subsequently Healthwatch Medway and Kent User Forums. I helped write the original successful tender and then lead the new organisation to ensure it met its statutory and contractual requirements, whilst also delivering real outcomes for the public, improving services and becoming credible and respected amongst health, social care and voluntary sector stakeholders. I worked closely with other local Healthwatch and Healthwatch England to develop outcome frameworks and best practice. The NHS funded some of his time to set up public engagement in the latest Sustainability & Transformation Partnership. I met regularly with a range of stakeholders such as public, NHS and Local Authority professionals, commissioners and providers and voluntary sector to promote improving health and social care services
Chief Officer of Engaging Kent CIC incorporating Healthwatch Kent
Chief Executive Officer, Shepway Citizens Advice
From June 2010 to December 2013 I was Chief Executive Officer of all Citizens Advice services in Folkestone, Kent, a large bureau offering general advice via 30 volunteers and specialist legal advice via paid caseworkers and solicitor. I was responsible for strategic direction and business plan, financial management and fundraising, human resources; recruitment, performance management, reviewing work conditions, health and safety. I was also responsible for ensuring quality of advice and promotion in media. I undertook a significant change programme to ensure future viability. I also ran the London Marathon in 2013 to raise funds for the bureau.
I was engaged as Interim CEO from July 2020 to April 2021 during a crisis period, advising on strategy to overcome a challenging financial scenario. I ensured achievement of the Mind Quality Mark and was responsible for bringing the organisation back into financial viability. I reviewed and updated the website whilst implementing Charitylog database to report activities.
I ensured the charity leveraged local and national Mind and charity support resources; incorporated cutting-edge new business development and marketing plans; completed application to National Lottery funding body; and implemented best-practice financial procedures. I succeeded in generating +£80k annual income for 2 years and deploying fundraising posts to ensure financial and funding continuity.
Interim CEO South Kent Mind
From August 2004 to December 2006, I was Monitoring & Review Officer, Supporting People Team, Kent County Council Social Services.
The Supporting People programme aimed to provide a better quality of life for vulnerable people to live more independently and maintain their tenancies. The programme provided housing related support to prevent problems that can often lead to hospitalisation, institutional care or homelessness to help the smooth transition to independent living for those leaving an institutionalised environment.
The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM) at the time had the main responsibility for the Supporting People programme. It allocated a Supporting People grant to Administering Authorities (unitary authorities and counties in two tier areas), who contracted with providers and partner organisations for the provision of Supporting People services.
The ODPM produced a way to measure the quality of a service, the Quality Assessment Framework (QAF) based on written evidence and feedback from staff and service users that things were being done.
As a Monitoring & Review officer I visited supported housing services across the county to audit them against the QAF and grade them.
Monitoring & Review Officer, Supporting People
Strategic Area Manager, Porchlight, Kent Homelessness Charity
Between January 2007 and June 2010 I was Strategic Area Manager for Dover, Thanet & Shepway with Porchlight, a Kent based charity working with the vulnerable, socially excluded and homeless. I oversaw hostels, floating support services which offered support in people’s homes to prevent homelessness as well as a community based project supporting two high-rise blocks in Ease Kent. I also successfully tendered for specialist mental health projects including supported accommodation and a worker based in GP surgeries. I managed internal continuous improvement using change theory and European Foundation for Quality Management processes. My work was published in the national housing press. I also cycled from Lands End to John O’Groats to raise money for the charity.
From January 1996 to September 2002 I was Care Manager, KCC Social Services, in William Harvey Hospital, Ashford as well as Ashford & Dover communities.
I assessed the needs of clients with physical and/or learning disabilities, planned and implemented their care. I regularly monitored and reviewed them and was responsible for giving guidance on areas such as housing, benefits and major life events. I also supervised members of the team and students on placement I coordinated client discharge from hospital and assessed the needs of clients of all ages and levels of disability within hospital, liaising with other professionals such as Nurses, Therapists and Consultants.
UK online Volunteer Coordinator, Kent Adult Education Service
From September 2002 to August 2004 UK online Volunteer Coordinator, Kent Adult Education Service
I was also a tutor with Kent Adult Education Service teaching digital photography skills.
I supervising the creation of seven ICT learning centres, based in existing community centres, including the prestigious Dover Discovery Centre. Each centre offered free access to ICT and the Internet, and support for beginners to increase their confidence. Each centre was staffed totally by volunteers to ensure sustainability. I recruited, inducted and supported over seventy volunteers to run public access sessions.
I worked with the communities and partners such as Single Regeneration Team and Kent Guidance Consortium to provide additional support e.g. careers guidance and learning
Care Manager, KCC Social Services
After my Registered General Nurse training from 1990 to 1993, I was a Staff Nurse in Accident & Emergency, William Harvey Hospital, Ashford, Kent. from March 1993 to December 1995
I was responsible for triage assessment of all patients visiting the Accident & Emergency Department, coordinating Resuscitation and Treatment areas of A&E and the Emergency Admission Ward. I was responsible for the care of patients with a vast array of illnesses, I had to ensure time and stress management and prioritisation of tasks. I also managed other nursing staff.
Registered General Nurse
Qualifications and achievements
Diploma Level 5 in Management Studies – Chartered Institute of Management
Prince2 Project Management Foundation Plus
Chartered Institute of Housing Level 4 Certificate in Access to Housing
Certificate in European Foundation for Quality Management
City & Guilds 7407 Certificate in Adult Teaching,
Open University Diploma Level 5 in Computing
Counselling Level 1
Registered General Nurse
Effective leader and communicator with high emotional intelligence
Accomplished public speaker and trainer
Chairman Deal Tri Sports Club 2015 to 2018
Triathlon – Leeds Castle June 2016
Running – London Marathon April 2013
Cycling- rode from Land’s End to John O’ Groats 14th to 25th September 2009