
Andy Smith steps into the role of president of the Association of Directors of Children’s Services (ADCS) during an election year in which the state of public services – including those for disadvantaged children and families – are tipped to be high on the agenda.
Smith, Derby City Council’s director of children and adult services, credits his own experience growing up in care – he was adopted by his foster carers aged 11 – as inspiring him to become a social worker.
Reflecting on three decades in frontline social care practice, where he specialised in child protection, and senior management, he says: “I can say from experience that we can’t underestimate the impact social workers have on the lives of those they work with. I like to think that I was always meant to be a social worker, you could say it was in my blood.”
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