Mark Harvey is the interim joint Chief Social worker for Adults at the Department of Health and Social Care. He shares the role with Fran Leddra, Principal Social Worker and Strategic Lead of Safeguarding and Adult Social Care in Thurrock Council.
Mark is also Operations Director for adult disability services in Hertfordshire County Council.
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 …
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 …
50 years ago this week, the Local Authority Social Services Act received royal assent and with it the creation of a new approach to social services. The act was the culmination of over two years work by Fredric Seebohm and his committee and the publication of the pivotal Seebohm Report. This report set out the …
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 …
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 …
Can’t believe we are in our third month already. Brexit deals, general elections, extinction rebellion protests outside the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC), Strictly has come and gone and Sanna Marin has taken office in Finland as the …
In 1918, women over 30 obtained these right following years of campaigning. As we move towards a general election it is important to remember that many of our citizens and neighbours who have the right to vote may still find this a challenge - a challenge we find in social care but one that social …
Human trafficking and modern-day slavery remain a very real experience for far too many people in the UK and across the world today. Today is Anti-Slavery Day and we wanted to use our social work blog to highlight the very painful realities of its effects on people and our roles as social workers as being …
Mark Harvey and Fran Leddra are extremely excited to be taking on the role of Chief Social Workers for Adults and to continue the great work Lyn Romeo has led over the last six years. In this first joint blog since taking up the post, they talk about what social work means to them, the …