David is an accomplished speaker and communicator, reflecting his diverse national and international roles and experience. His varied career and substantial experience has focused on social work, Children’s Services and child protection. He qualified as a social worker in 1974 and this led to his most recent position as the Independent Chair of a Local Children Safeguarding Board (LSCB) and an Adult Safeguarding Board in a large English city. He was formerly Deputy Director and Professional Adviser in the Office for Standards in Education, Children’s Services and Skills. He was recently given a Visiting Fellowship at the Institute of Education, London University. He has helped lead strategic and operational change in social work and children’s services for many years, including most recently the new children’s services inspection framework for England (unannounced inspections). David has substantial experience of national and international governing boards as chair, member and officer, working with Parliament, Minsters and government officials. He has contributed to the development and review of national child care and social services policy since 1975 and was a government adviser on the implementation of the Every Child Matters: Change for Children programme. David has worked internationally as Chair, Adviser and Consultant to several groups, policy committees, advisory boards and councils. He retires after 4 years as honorary President of the International Federation of Social Workers in 2010. David is an excellent communicator and presenter in both small and large groups and regularly speaks at national and international conferences and seminars. He has published several books and articles. He is also comfortable with radio, TV and web based media communication.
Current Positions Held
Independent Chair of a Local Children’s Safeguarding Board and an Adult Safeguarding Board
President of the International Federation of Social Workers
Board member of the Commonwealth Organisation for Social Work
International advisory boards for various social work conferences
Professional Social Work Editorial Advisory Board
British Association of Social Workers International Relations Committee
Advisory Committee for National Youth Advocacy Service
Visiting Fellowship at the Institute of Education, London University.
Personal Achievements and Awards
1999-2009 - Doctor of Philosophy, in Social Work, Warwick University,
1972-1974 - Master of Arts [Applied Social Studies], Nottingham University
Certificate of Qualification in Social Work, CCETSW
1969-1972 - Bachelor of Arts [Philosophy, Politics and Economics], Oxford University
David has written and contributed to numerous books, publications and papers on social services management, values and ethics and human resource management, including:
Understanding Child Abuse, Management in Social Work, People Need People, and Getting the Best from Children’s Services.
Relevant Career and Professional Background
3/2010-0nwards Independent Chair, Local Safeguarding Children Board and Adult Safeguarding Board
9/2009 – 2/2010 Office for Standards in Education, Children's Services and Skills – Professional Adviser (Social Care)(HMI)
2/2009 – 8/2009 Office for Standards in Education, Children's Services and Skills – Deputy Director Children (HMI)
4/2007 – 1/2009 Office for Standards in Education, Children's Services and Skills – Her Majesty’s Inspector
4/2007 – 3/2008 Children’s Workforce Development Council – part-time consultant
8/2006 – 3/2007 Commission for Social Care Inspection – Inspector
2006 April-July Department of Health, Office of the National Director for Social Services - Assistant to the National Director
2004 - 2006 Department for Education and Skills, Local Transformation Group - Children’s Services Improvement Adviser [Policy
2003 - 2004 Programme Consultant: Accountability Frameworks [Children and Young Persons Unit - Dept for Education and Skills
2003 Transition Consultant [child abuse] Bulgarian government
2001 - 2002 Teacher - University of Warwick School of Health and Social Studies
2000-2003 Reviewer, Joint Reviews of Local Authority Social Services [Audit Commission/Social Services Inspectorate]
1999-2000 Consultant, Joint Reviews of Local Authority Social Services [Audit Commission/Social Services Inspectorate]
1995-2001 Independent Chair, Northants Child Protection Committee
1994-2000 Director [UK Operations], Central Council for Education and Training in Social Work
1985-1994 General Secretary, British Association of Social Workers
1984-1985 Principal Research and Information Officer, National Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Children. Member of the Child Care Division management team
1979-1984 Unit Leader, National Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Children [Nottinghamshire]
1975-1979 Unit Member, National Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Children
1974-1975 Social Worker, Nottinghamshire Social Services Department
1969 Volunteer teacher, rural secondary school, Kenya