Social Work Week in England is running from 20th May to 26th May 2023. Devon County Council’s Adults and Children’s Services celebrated their achievements and reflected on the contribution Social Workers have made to the communities they serve.
This year’s theme for the week was bringing people together to learn, connect and influence change. Throughout the week, both Adults and Children’s Services held several events, for our Social Workers and their teams. These events encouraged them to share best practices and continue their learning and development journey within their social work teams.
Both services had special events scheduled around the additional theme of ‘Respecting Diversity Through Joint Social Action’, which is an important subject for all of us.
Councillor James McInnes, Cabinet Member with responsibility for Adult Services, said:
“Social Work Week gives us the opportunity to celebrate and champion the incredible role of Social Workers, and indeed everyone in every role in Adult Social Care.
“More than ever, our amazing colleagues right across social care are working with people to support them to make a meaningful difference in their lives, such as maintaining the connections they have in their communities, or to learn or relearn the skills and strengthens that they need to live a fulfilled life in the place they call home, that’s what we all want.
“With many colleagues and teams having been nominated, shortlisted and won national awards, including at the Social Worker of the Year Awards over the years. Their fantastic achievements put Devon in the shop window as a great place to work, with great social care practice and a positive and celebrating culture.”
Councillor Andrew Leadbetter, Cabinet Member with responsibility for Children’s Services, added:
“As the lead member for Children’s Services, I am passionate about doing everything I can to support Social Workers and the service in the invaluable work that they do with children, young people and families across Devon.
“I want to say how proud I am of the work our Social Workers do. Social work is of course challenging, but it can also be immensely rewarding. We often hear about when things don’t go well, but we often forget about the hundreds of children, young people and families that our social workers help every day and whose lives are improved through our work. It’s great that there is national recognition of social work as a profession.
“I know that there are a number of events being held in Children’s and Adults services this week. I hope that all colleagues across the council will take time to find out more about social work as a profession and encourage any family, friends or young people who are interested in social care as a career to contact us directly.”
If you are looking for a rewarding career, making a difference in the lives of vulnerable Adults or Children across Devon, and want to learn and develop within a social work team click the links below to find out more about our service areas:
Make a difference and work for Devon adult care and health | Devon County Council