Katy Cleece, Families, Social Care and Lived Experience Lead 

Katy is a social worker, researcher and co-production leader who is passionate about creating more inclusive, equitable and relationship-centred approaches to research, health and social care. With expertise spanning children and families, adult mental health, trauma, substance use and criminal justice, Katy works at the intersection of practice, research and lived experience to help services and communities learn, improve and create meaningful change. 

Currently serving as a Social Work Research Lead within Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust, Katy has played a pivotal role in developing a culture of research and inquiry across social work practice. Her work focuses on building the confidence, capability and capacity of both professionals and communities to engage with research, ensuring that knowledge generation is collaborative, accessible and grounded in real-world experience. 

A recognised leader in co-production and community engagement, Katy led the NHS England Research Engagement Network programme, supporting communities to become active partners in research and co-producing practical tools that enable wider participation. She now serves as Community Settings Lead for the Regional Research Delivery Network, where she continues to champion approaches that bring together researchers, practitioners and communities to address complex health and social challenges. 

What makes Katy’s perspective particularly distinctive is her ability to draw on both professional expertise and personal lived experience of services. This combination gives her a unique understanding of the opportunities and barriers that exist within systems and enables her to bridge the gap between organisations and the people they serve. Grounded in the social work values of social justice, collaboration and anti-oppressive practice, she is committed to ensuring that voices often overlooked are meaningfully involved in shaping decisions, services and research. 

Alongside her leadership and practice roles, Katy is an NIHR Predoctoral Fellow and emerging academic with a growing body of published work focused on relational practice, parental mental health, social work and co-production. Her research explores how stronger relationships, greater participation and more human-centred approaches can improve outcomes for individuals, families and communities. 

Known for her authenticity, compassion and ability to connect people across different worlds, Katy brings energy, credibility and deep insight to every partnership she supports. Whether developing research cultures, facilitating co-production, supporting communities or influencing system change, she believes lasting improvement happens when professional knowledge and lived experience are valued equally and brought together in pursuit of shared goals.