College of Social Work selects first chairs

A former director of social services and an experienced social work academic have been appointed as joint interim chairs of the profession’s first ever College of Social Work.

Maurice Bates, formerly interim director of children’s services at North East Lincolnshire Council, and Corinne May-Chahal, director of social work and professor of applied social science at Lancaster University, will start work on 1 August (both pictured above).

Bates has experience across children’s and adults services. He was director of health and social care at Redcar and Cleveland Council between June 2002 and March 2008, and has been executive adviser on adult care and co-chair of the Association of Directors of Adult Services’ National Workforce Development Policy Committee.

May-Chahal has over 34 years of experience as a social work practitioner, educator and leader. Both are registered social workers.

May-Chahal said that, under her leadership, the college would focus on “the reality of social work practice”.

“I will draw on my extensive experience of social work research and education to ensure that the college is founded on standards that social workers, the public, government and academics can trust,” she said.

Bates said he would use his skills and experience to provide “clear leadership to social workers”.

They will succeed Allan Bowman, who currently chairs the college development group.

Moira Gibb, chair of the Social Work Reform Board and head of the interview panel, said the panel was confident Bates and May-Chahal would work closely together.

She said: “Maurice and Corinne bring with them a wealth of skills from both the social work and academic sectors and will be a major resource to the development of the college.”

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