NI Social Care Council announce new chair and non-executive member appointments

The Northern Ireland Social Care Council (NISCC) has announced the appointment of Paul Martin and its new Chair.

Speaking about the appointment, Chief Executive, Colum Conway, said: “I am delighted to welcome Paul Martin as the new Chair of NISCC, at what is both an exciting and challenging time for the organisation. With the registration of a social care workforce of 40,000 people and a widespread recognition about the vital role they contribute to our society, there is a need for the value of the sector to be understood in a much broader social and economic context.

“Paul, as former Chief Social Services Inspector, Advisor to the Minister for Health and Social Services and EU Resident Advisor with NI-CO, brings with him a wealth of experience in the social care sector, both locally and internationally. I look forward to working alongside him, as we take forward the social care agenda.” 

Commenting on his appointment, Mr Martin said: “I am very pleased to accept the role of NISCC Chair. Social care makes a further vital contribution to the citizens of Northern Ireland and I welcome the opportunity to play my part in working with our partners in building a sustainable and professional workforce that we can all be proud of.

“By setting and promoting high standards of conduct and practice for social care and social work, NISCC makes a significant contribution to protecting the public and ensures service users can live their lives as independently as possible.”  

The Department of Health has also appointed six new Non-Executive Members to the NISCC Council. They are Mrs Roslyn Dougherty, Mrs Noelle Barton, Mrs Sarah Browne, Mrs Christine Hunter, Miss Jacqueline McGarvey and Mr David Hayes, who along with Mr Martin, all take up post on 1 April 2018.