ADASS pledges support to Community Care’s campaign

The Association of Directors of Adult Social Services has given its full backing to Community Care’s campaign to improve public perceptions of social work.

In her first speech as Adass president for 2009-10, Jenny Owen welcomed our efforts to promote respect for the profession through Stand Up Now for Social Work.

Owen, director of adult services at Essex County Council, said: “When we look back at the last year one of things will stand out is the death of Baby P and the Laming report [the review of child protection in England by Lord Laming].

“The negative media coverage of social work has had an impact on recruitment, and we need to work with the Association of Directors of Children’s Services to improve people’s perceptions of the profession.

“We were really pleased to see Community Care’s campaign which is challenging the negative coverage in the mainstream media.”

Owen’s speech followed a presentation about Stand Up Now for Social Work to the association’s executive council at Adass’ spring seminar in Croydon by Community Care this week. Deputy editor Emma Maier asked directors to focus on promoting positive social work interventions in their communities.
 
John Dixon, outgoing president of ADASS, said afterwards: “This is extremely dear to our hearts and we’re very grateful for the campaign you are running. This is important nationally and we will also be taking it up locally in our authorities.”

Our petition to the Prime Minister calling for fairer media coverage of social work has been signed by more than 5,000 people so far. Sign it here.

Link to campaign