Heroes of 2025: Matt Clayton, Coventry City Council

We are delighted to recognise Matt Clayton as one of our Heroes of 2025 for his commitment to improving the lives of children and young people in Coventry. Throughout this year, we have had the privilege of working closely with Matt and colleagues at Coventry City Council to embed needs-led care and support through IMPOWER’s Valuing Care approach. His thoughtful challenge, openness, and help to bring the right people into the conversation have been instrumental in building shared ownership across the authority. 

Matt has actively championed the approach, asked the questions that matter, and ensured the focus always remains on what will make the biggest difference for children and families. And this is a theme beyond his work with us. His leadership of Coventry’s reunification programme is an example of his family-led values, and child-centred approach – with Matt and colleagues hosting a reunification conference in Coventry this year to share their success across the sector.

Matt’s voice is also well known to many social care professionals outside Coventry. As co-host of The Relational Social Work Podcast, he brings together leaders and practitioners to share insight, challenge thinking, and celebrate what works, reinforcing the importance of the relationships at the heart of social work.

Matt represents what effective partnership looks like: thoughtful, collaborative, and focused on outcomes. We are proud to name him as one of our Heroes of 2025.