Tracy Dean is an experienced and highly committed social care professional with over 25 years’ experience working across children’s services, family support, and strategic leadership.

After graduating in 1998 with a degree in Sociology, Tracy began her career in housing, where she developed a strong foundation in supporting vulnerable individuals and families. She subsequently secured a position with Staffordshire County Council’s Leaving Care Team, marking the beginning of her long-standing dedication to improving outcomes for children and young people.

Tracy spent eight years working as a Personal Adviser to children in care. During this time, she developed extensive experience in direct practice with young people and their families. Central to her work was a strong commitment to ensuring that the voice of the child remained at the forefront of assessment, planning, and intervention. Her ability to build trusting relationships and advocate effectively for young people became a defining feature of her practice. In 2009, Tracy became a Director of a Social Work Practice — one of six government pilot programmes established nationally to bring decision-making and services closer to children and families. In this strategic leadership role, she broadened her expertise in service development, partnership working, and organisational governance. She played a key role in shaping responsive, child-centred services and valued the autonomy to innovate and improve practice delivery to better meet children’s needs.

In addition to her professional roles, Tracy spent six years as a foster carer, including three years as a therapeutic foster carer. This experience provided her with invaluable insight into the lived realities of children in care and further strengthened her understanding of trauma-informed and restorative approaches. In 2022, Tracy co-founded Trinity Support Services alongside Zoe, with a clear vision to deliver robust, high-quality services grounded in restorative practice. Her leadership reflects a commitment to integrity, compassion, and meaningful outcomes for children and families.

Tracy brings together frontline experience, strategic leadership, and lived fostering insight, making her a knowledgeable, credible, and passionate advocate for children and family-centred practice.