I hope the new year started well and everyone had a good break over the holidays. This time last year I started as the Chief Social Worker at the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) and much has happened …
As effective social workers, we work alongside people, building relationships with individuals and families to appreciate the context within which their worries and concerns exist , but also ensuring that as professionals, we understand how the care and support system …
New Year Honours 2016 – nominations close 9 March One of the privileges afforded the role of Chief Social Worker for Adults is the opportunity to meet with and learn from the many inspirational individuals working hard within and beyond …
I’ve written before about how pleased I am that social workers are being actively consulted during the creation or reform of legislation - and also the guidance and regulations supporting its implementation. As a result, our values of empathy, openness …
There remains a perception in some quarters that twitter and other forms of social media exist mainly to celebrate the trivial and elevate the irrelevant – reductive debasers of meaningful conversations. But this simply isn’t true and certainly not for …
Personalised. Respectful. Best outcomes. Independence. Equality. Human rights. These are very familiar words in our lexicon of social work. Every day, we strive to support people and families in their efforts to lead happier, healthier, more productive lives. Ensuring people’s …
...in the Care Act for integrated health and care, we need to be more ambitious about what social workers can bring to improving outcomes for people using services, their carers...
Being a social worker is a privilege, but it is one which carries huge responsibilities. When you work so closely with those you are seeking to help, effective relationships require a high degree of emotional intelligence - an awareness that …
I want staff in health and social care services to understand I have autism and how this affects me. I hear these words – or variations of them – frequently in my work. It is of course important for social …
Today, I am pleased to announce the publication of my first annual report as Chief Social Worker for Adults, since taking up the post in September 2013. The past year has seen significant changes in the landscape of health and …
I’m sure many will be pleased to see the Care Act 2014 regulations and guidance consultation response published today. It is the result of lots of hard work and application from across the sector. I am delighted that social workers …