Behan Named New Head of Social Care

{mosimage}The government has appointed David Behan as director general for social care at the Department of Health. Behan, a former president of the Association of Directors of Social Services (ADSS), moves from his role as chief inspector at the Commission for Social Care Inspection. On announcing the establishment of the post earlier this year, former social care services minister Liam Byrne described it as “one of the biggest jobs in social care which would give a new and deserved prominence to social care within the DH. Byrne added “Social care is at the cutting edge of making Britain a better and fairer place to live. People say they like the white paper- but want to see it implemented. So, we need this new powerful, high profile role to help us drive this work forward.”

The Director General’s responsibilities will include providing clear national leadership for social care across central and local government, delivering the commitments on social care reform and improvements and related health outcomes in the Our Health, Our Care, Our Say White Paper, leading further policy developments on adult social care in the Department, securing resources for adult social care provision and providing assurance at national level for the delivery of improvements in efficiency and effectiveness.

He will also lead on the Department’s continuing efforts to build capacity and capability within the Department on social care.

Hugh Taylor, Acting Permanent Secretary at the Department said: “Many of the Department’s staff already know David not only from his excellent leadership of the CSCI, but from his long and distinguished career in social care. I am delighted that he will be joining us.

David Behan said: “I am delighted and honoured to accept this post. We know that the best social care transforms people’s lives. We have an exciting and challenging opportunity to improve the quality of social care so that all people can benefit from the best services. I look forward to working with you all.”

David Behan was Director of Social Services at Greenwich Council from 1996 – 2003, Director of Social Services Designate at Middlesborough Council from 1995- 1996 and Director of Social Services at Cleveland County Council from 1989-1996.