College to host first joint conference for principal social workers

Social work leaders from across England will be coming together for the first time tomorrow as they gather for a major conference hosted by The College of Social Work in London.

Around 150 Principal Social Workers (PSWs), working in both adults and children and families services, will be attending the conference, which will focus on sharing best practice and evaluating how PSWs can make a positive difference to social work practice across English local authorities.

PSWs are a relatively new role; they provide professional leadership in local areas, encouraging high standards of social work practice.

A conference keynote speech will be given by Maria Moran, chief executive of leadership development organisation Common Purpose, who will talk about the vital contribution of leaders and “leading beyond authority”.  Annie Hudson, Chief Executive of The College of Social Work together with Lyn Romeo (Chief Social Worker, Adults) and Isabelle Trowler (Chief Social Worker, Children and Families) will also be speaking at the event.  

Mark Godfrey, chair of the Principal Social Workers for Adults network, said:  “This conference is an important event in bringing together Principal Social Workers from across the country to develop the PSW role and examine how we can learn from one another in promoting high quality social work practice.”

Marion Russell, chair of the Principal Social Workers for Children and Families network, said: “This conference represents a landmark in the development of the Principal Social Worker role, demonstrating our commitment to taking a whole family approach to supporting and helping the most vulnerable individuals and families in our society.  

“We are grateful for the support of the Chief Social Workers, Department for Education, Department of Health and The College of Social Work in recognising the status of the social work profession, and leading on improvement and reform.”