Wednesday 24th January 2007
(ref:
18/2007)
The leading champion of social care in Britain, Dame Denise Platt, is in Wigan next week to celebrate the achievements of care workers across the borough.
Dame Denise, chair of the Commission for Social Care Inspection, is here at the invitation of Wigan Council’s adult services director, Bernard Walker, to present achievement awards to staff who have gained qualifications in the past year.
Nearly 200 members of staff from the council and its private and voluntary sector partners will be present at the ceremony, which is being held at Wigan Investment Centre on Monday 29th January.
The council encourages all its social care staff working with children and adults to improve their skills through training and qualifications.
Mr Walker said:
“In Wigan we support everyone from the youngest recruits to the most senior managers to develop their skills and knowledge. We do this because we know a well trained workforce is likely to provide better care for our most vulnerable residents.
“This is a wonderful event designed to recognise the great job done by the social care workforce at all levels, whether they work for the council or our many partners.
“I’m delighted Dame Denise has accepted my invitation to come to Wigan. At a time when social services are under so much pressure locally and nationally, it’s important to celebrate the brilliant work that is done in social care across the borough.”
From NVQs through to management diplomas and social work degrees, all levels of achievement and training will be represented at the ceremony.
Dame Denise will present a certificate to all staff able to attend the awards ceremony – although those present represent only half the total number who have got qualifications in the past year. Afterwards teams will give a presentation about how their training has benefited the services they provide.
Note to editors
1. The ceremony starts at 10am on Monday 29 January, at Wigan Investment Centre. Photographs can be taken at any time, but a small group of staff will be available at 12.30pm to be pictured with Dame Denise and Wigan Council Leader Lord Smith.
2. Dame Denise Platt is chair of the Commission for Social Care Inspection - a non-de partmental government body responsible for the inspection and assessment of performance of all social care services in England across the public, private and voluntary sectors. Dame Denise has had a long and distinguished career in social and community care, having served as director of social services for the London Borough of Hammersmith, chief inspector of the Social Services Inspectorate and director for children, older people and social care services at the De partment of Health. In 2004 she was made a Dame.
3. Director of Children and Young People’s Services Ged Rowney will also be present.
4. Further information: Bernard Walker, director of adult services for Wigan Council, tel. 01942 827782.
