Wokingham Council staff mourn loss of Pat Brecknock

Wokingham Council staff are paying tribute to director of adult social services Pat Brecknock, who died suddenly, aged 55, on Sunday 19 October.

Brecknock had a long career in social work, starting out in Hampshire County Council in 1979 and becoming Wokingham adult services director in 2006.

Most recently she is credited for her role in Wokingham community care service’s Commission for Social Care Inspection results on safeguarding, partnership working and prevention, which were among the best in the country.

She was also an active contributor to the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services South East regional network, co-chairing the health and community care sub group, as well as being a member of the Adass national learning disability group.

Wokingham chief executive Susan Law said: “Pat was a much liked and highly respected member of staff and this news has come as a terrible shock to her many friends and colleagues at the council”.

Council leader David Lee said: “She was a born social worker who had a strong commitment to all the people she worked with”. 

And councillor Bob Wyatt, who leads on older people’s services and has worked with Brecknock for many years said “losing someone like Pat creates a void one wonders how we will ever fill.”

Her death was the result of a brain aneurysm.

She leaves behind her husband Richard and teenage daughter Robyn.