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Blog Social work with adults

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Department of Health and Social Care
Fran Leddra

Fran Leddra

Fran Leddra is the interim joint Chief Social Worker for Adults at the Department of Health and Social Care. She shares the role with Mark Harvey, Operations Director for adult disability services in Hertfordshire County Council.

Fran is also Principal Social Worker and Strategic Lead of Safeguarding and Adult Social Care in Thurrock Council.

Revisiting safeguarding practice

Posted by: , and , Posted on: - Categories: Guidance, Knowledge and skills, Our profession, Safeguarding

Continuous professional development in safeguarding practice is essential if we are to serve individuals, families, and communities well. The recently published Revisiting safeguarding practice will support local authority social workers to refresh their knowledge and understanding of their roles and responsibilities in responding to enquiries and concerns.

Chief Social Workers for Adults present their annual report for 2020/21

Posted by: and , Posted on: - Categories: Guidance, Our profession, Research
two hands reaching out of smartphones towards each other

The Chief Social Workers for Adults annual report 2021 is an opportunity to look back over the last year and reflect on the progress made on the priorities set out in last year’s plan and to celebrate collective achievements.

However, 2020 was a year like no other and one which proved enormously challenging to the social work profession. We saw first-hand the devastating effects of COVID-19 on the people and communities we support, including our colleagues, loved ones, friends and families...

Our message of thanks, faith and hope

Posted by: and , Posted on: - Categories: Coronavirus, Viewpoint
christmas decorations

As we approach a festive season that will be very different for all of us, we wanted to say thank you again for the support you have provided our communities during a very challenging year.

We continue to be moved by stories of dedication, kindness and empathy across the social care workforce and by your equally dedicated NHS colleagues. We know many of you will continue to provide care and support in your communities and go the extra mile to work over the holiday period. Likewise, others will take a much-needed rest with their loved ones before shortly returning to work.

A message from Lyn Romeo

Posted by: , and , Posted on: - Categories: Coronavirus, Our profession, Viewpoint
Lyn Romeo enjoys a mountain view on a yoga retreat in Australia.

Fran Leddra and Mark Harvey were originally due to end their time as joint Chief Social Workers for Adults (CSWs) in October this year, yet you may have noticed they are still here.That's why they want to share with you an update from Lyn Romeo, the original Chief Social Worker for Adults currently on sabbatical, to explain why and let you know they will be continuing in their roles until March 2021.

A message of hope, support and solidarity

Posted by: , and , Posted on: - Categories: Coronavirus, Our profession
Social workers in training

This year marked 50 years since the creation of local authority social services, a milestone we had hoped to celebrate with all social workers and those in training on World Social Work Day. We have written to the profession in these uncertain times to reaffirm our continuing support, guidance and – we hope – inspiration, during this pandemic and way beyond.

Black lives matter...

Posted by: , and , Posted on: - Categories: Communities, Society
George Floyd mural

Over the past few days, those of us in the Office of the Chief Social Worker for Adults and the Office of the Chief Social Worker for Children and Families have been shocked and horrified by the death of George Floyd. The subsequent outpouring of anger, despair and emotion that has followed has focused our minds once again on the presence of racism and intolerance in our societies.

Lightbulbs, leadership and being true to yourself

Posted by: , and , Posted on: - Categories: Communities, Our profession, Viewpoint
lightbulb drawn in chalk on blackboard

For a uniquely personal take on matters of race, discrimination, unconscious bias and the many other issues thrown into sharp relief by recent events in the US, we are proud to present this excellent blog from Nadia Khan.

Nadia is a registered social worker, AMHP and Interim Service Manager for Mental Health with Bradford Council - her words are honest, powerful and inspiring.

Mental health social work's time is now

Posted by: and , Posted on: - Categories: Mental health
Mark Trewin presents

Another Mental Health Awareness Week is almost over – its importance given added resonance by the way the coronavirus pandemic has affected the physical and mental wellbeing of each and every one of us.

Of course, supporting people to maintain good mental health is a continuous and collaborative effort. Our colleague Mark Trewin, the Mental Health Social Work lead in the Chief Social Workers for Adults’ office has been proving the truth of this statement.

Finding our strength in unusual times

Posted by: and , Posted on: - Categories: Communities, Education and training, Viewpoint
ripples and reflections in a pond

Claire Wood is a first placement social work student from Bradford College. She is currently placed at Roshni Ghar, a mental health charity providing culturally appropriate, responsive services for South Asian women experiencing mental ill health. Like many in her situation, her placement has been paused because of the COVID-19 outbreak.

Claire offers some honest, empathic and ultimately positive reflections on the world we find ourselves in and suggests how we can look out for each other, professionally and personally, in these most unusual of times.

Our relationships are more important than ever on World Social Work Day

Posted by: and , Posted on: - Categories: Events, Information and access, Our profession, Society
World Social Work Day 2020 poster

A month ago, Mark Harvey and Fran Leddra, Joint Chief Social Workers for Adults, were finalising their annual report and filming a video message to release on World Social Work Day.

Like the rest of us, they now find themselves in a period of uncertainty and worry. With this in mind, they reflect on what it means to be a social worker in these unusual times and how we can all prepare ourselves for the challenges to come.

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