Skip to main content

Blog Social work with adults

Organisations:
Department of Health and Social Care
Mark Harvey

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...

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.

Adult social work is fifty years young

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Coronavirus, Our profession
Fredric Seebohm

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

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.

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.

Voting and social work

Posted by: , and , Posted on: - Categories: Communities, Information and access, Society
ballot box - hand posting vote in slot

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

Posted by: and , Posted on: - Categories: Communities, Information and access, Safeguarding, Society
anti slavery logo

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

Posted by: and , Posted on: - Categories: Our profession, Viewpoint
Fran Leddra (l) and Mark Harvey (r)

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.

Related content and links

Social work with adults

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

Find out more.

Categories

Sign up and manage updates

Follow DH