Civil servant’s loan could be extended

The planned secondment of a civil servant from the Department of
Health to the Association of Directors of Social Services could
become a long-term arrangement.

The secondment, believed to be unprecedented, would initially last
a year but could be extended, said John Dixon, co-chair of the ADSS
disabilities committee.

The civil servant will work part-time for the ADSS and their key
role will be to help it respond to the forthcoming white paper on
health and social care.

Dixon said the ADSS would interview for the role within the next
two months and wanted the position to be filled by a senior civil
servant with “credibility” in the DH, preferably someone working on
the white paper.

Dixon said the arrangement reflected the DH’s recognition that it
needed the sector’s help to implement its reforms.