Government reveals identity of England’s first chief social worker for adults

An assistant director with more than 35 years of frontline and management experience has been appointed as England’s first chief social worker for adults.

Lyn Romeo, currently assistant director of adult social care and joint commissioning for the London Borough of Camden, will be tasked with helping to improve the quality of care across adult services nationwide and acting as a champion for the profession.

She will work closely with the chief social worker for children, whose name will be announced by the Department of Education on Friday.

The chief social workers will jointly advise health and education ministers on how best to improve standards in social work, looking at areas such as training and professional development.

They will also explore how social workers can best work with leaders of other professions.

Care services minister Norman Lamb, who appointed Romeo, said: “I am delighted that Lyn has accepted this new and exciting role. She brings with her a wealth of experience from Camden and other areas. Her expertise will make her a strong and effective advocate for people who use services, their carers and social work practitioners working with adults.”

Romeo added: “As a social worker myself, I know how challenging it can be on the frontline, but I also know what a hugely positive influence a good social worker can have and the amazing difference they can make to people’s lives.

“It will be my aim to boost the profile of adult social work, support social workers in improving the quality of their practice and to make sure social workers can support the people they work with to achieve the outcomes they want for themselves.” 
  
Romeo will take up the chief social worker role in late summer/autumn, initially on a two-year secondment from Camden.