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.
Behind every statistic there is a person. Vanessa Hodge, Principal Social Worker for Adults at Somerset County Council, reflects on social work's role during the coronavirus pandemic as it continues to affect all our lives, not least those working in or being supported by community adult social care services.
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.
Georgina Hollingworth was, until recently, a mental health social work adviser at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO). She was seconded to the FCO through Heathrow Travel Care, a charity supporting vulnerable people passing through the UK’s busiest airport. During …
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 …
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.
Dedicated readers of this site will know that this will be Chief Social Worker for Adults Lyn Romeo's last blog for the next 12 months. This provides a natural opportunity to reflect on her experiences in the role to date, consider collective achievements, and look ahead to future challenges and possibilities.
It's that time of year again, when new students are settling into their degree programmes and making plans for the academic year ahead. Lyn Romeo, Chief Social Worker for Adults is sending welcome wishes to them and a big thank you to the academic staff teaching them.
Lyn Romeo: The introduction and establishment of the Principal Social Worker in Adult Social Care has made a significant impact in improving the focus on professional practice and social work values as vital ingredients in improving adult social care and …
Our Chief Social Worker for Adults Lyn Romeo recently attended the London Borough of Bexley Adult Social Work forum where she met consultant social worker, Nicola Shawyer. Nicola's story of continuous professional development to improve her practice, that of the students she supervises, and its impact on improving outcomes for vulnerable people, is exemplified in an innovative induction pack of her own devising. Social workers in training? Start here!
