Sheila Downey appointed as Rochdale Head of Adult Social Care

Rochdale Borough Council has appointed Sheila Downey as its new Director of Adult Social Care. Ms Downey, who starts her new role in June, will succeed Jim Wilson who previously held the post on an interim basis. She is experienced in all areas of health and social care with a successful track record of delivering major change and innovation.

Sheila is currently Assistant Director of Adult Social Services at Derby City Council, where she has worked for the past 3 years.  She is the regional ADASS lead for NHS continuing healthcare implementation and the Regional Chair of the Safeguarding Adults programme in Derby.

She has worked at senior level for over 15 years, including Assistant Director of the Greater Peterborough Primary Care Partnership.  Sheila has also held management positions at North Peterborough Primary Care Trust and Lincolnshire County Council.  In her new role in Rochdale she’ll be responsible for leading adult social care and championing the councils plans to provide modern, inclusive and personalised services for residents.

Sheila said she is looking forward to taking on the challenge:“I see my role as making sure that vulnerable people know where to get the help they need to live as independently as possible and to ensure that the health and adult social services provided are good quality and make a real positive difference to people’s lives.”