Outgoing NISCC chief executive to lead new social work regulator in England

The Department of Health and Social Care had today announced the appointment of Colum Conway as the first Chief Executive of Social Work England, the new specialist regulator for social workers in England.

Mr Conway is the current chair of the regulatory body for social work in Northern Ireland, the Northern Ireland Social Care Council (NISCC), a post he has held for five years.

Announcing the appointment in a written statement to parliament, Minister for Children and Families, Nadhim Zahawi, said: “We want to carry on raising the professional status of social workers, which is why I am pleased to announce Colum Conway as the Chief Executive of Social Work England, the new dedicated social work regulator.

“Colum has a background in social work and will bring a breadth of experience from his leadership role at Northern Ireland’s regulator, and will make sure Social Work England works in the best interests of the profession, as well as the vulnerable adults, children and families who need them.”

Speaking about his appointment Colum said: “I am delighted to have been offered the opportunity to become the first Chief Executive of Social Work England.

“I am determined that Social Work England will make a unique and lasting contribution to the profession of social work and to the role of professional regulation in how it supports improvement and raises standards in practice and care.

“I will be sad to leave my colleagues at NISCC and would pay tribute to the members of the Council and staff, who do so much to protect the public and enhance the status and standing of the social work profession across Northern Ireland.”

Mr Conway previous roles include Director of Operations for NIPPA (The Early Years Organisation), Family and Childcare social work in Craigavon and Banbridge HSC Trust, Barnardos in Dublin, and Child and Family Care with the Daughters of Charity in Dublin.

Colum has a Masters in Social Work from Queens University Belfast and a Masters in Management from the Institute of Public Administration in Dublin.

He has served as a Board Member of the United Kingdom Home Care Association (UKHCA), the Council for Awards in Care, Health and Education (CACHE), the Sector Skills Council Skills for Care and Development, the Independent Health & Care Providers (IHCP), Care Alliance Ireland and CO3.

Conway joins Lord Patel, Social Work England’s Chair, in leadership of the regulator and will take up his role on September 1 this year.

_{Picture (c) Northern Ireland Social Care Council.}