Mark Harvey

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.

Black lives matter...

Fran Leddra, Mark Harvey and Isabelle Trowler, 5 June 2020 - Communities, Society

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

Nadia Khan, Mark Harvey and Fran Leddra, 5 June 2020 - Communities, Our profession, Viewpoint

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.

Adult social work is fifty years young

Mark Harvey, 29 May 2020 - Coronavirus, Our profession

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 recommendations and aspiration for the foundations of a modern, forward thinking, independent and responsive social services system. Joint Chief Social Worker Mark Harvey reflects on the distance travelled since then.

Mental health social work's time is now

Fran Leddra and Mark Harvey, 22 May 2020 - Mental health

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.

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

Mark Harvey and Fran Leddra, 17 March 2020 - Events, Information and access, Our profession, Society

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.

Ho! Ho! Ho! Three months in and still smiling

Fran Leddra and Mark Harvey, 18 December 2019 - Our profession, Viewpoint

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 …

Voting and social work

Mark Harvey, Elaine James and Rob Mitchell, 4 November 2019 - Communities, Information and access, Society

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 work can and should actively aim to resolve.

Anti-Slavery Day and social work's duty to call out exploitation

Mark Harvey and Fran Leddra, 18 October 2019 - Communities, Information and access, Safeguarding, Society

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 able to support individuals and be part of the solution.

Shared endeavour, values in common and a passion for practice

Fran Leddra and Mark Harvey, 4 October 2019 - Our profession, Viewpoint

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 values they share and their aspirations for the profession.

Social work with adults

Insights, updates and reflections from the Chief Social Worker for Adults and others working in the field.

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