Tributes paid to former social worker and care leaver Ian Dickson
Joe Lepper
Wednesday, January 4, 2023
Tributes have been paid to social care sector campaigner and former care leaver Ian Dickson following the announcement of his death.
The death of the retired social worker, who had been taken into local authority care as a child during the 1950s, was announced by his wife Sue on December 31 last year.
Among those paying tribute to Ian, who was also an Ofsted inspector and residential care manager, is Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon.
She said that it had been a “privilege” to meet him at a recent Who Cares Scotland event and described Ian as “an inspiration to many in the care community here in Scotland”.
Very sorry for your loss, Sue. It was a privilege to meet Ian at the @whocaresscot summer camp - I will always remember his words of wisdom to me then and I know he was an inspiration to many in the care community here in Scotland. My condolences to you and your family
— Nicola Sturgeon (@NicolaSturgeon) December 31, 2022
Meanwhile, former shadow children and families minister Labour’s Emma Lewell-Buck described Ian as “one in a million”.
Social care leaders to pay tribute to Ian include National Children's Bureau chair Alison O’Sullivan who said he was a “remarkable man who made a huge difference”.
Become chief executive Katherine Sacks-Jones described him as “an inspiration”, adding that she was “blown away by his dedication, passion and commitment to making things better for care-experienced people, fighting for change until the end”.
Among social care campaigns Dickson was involved in was ResCareTo21 which is calling for better support to young people forced to leave residential care at the age of 18.
Last year Ian took part in a series of video interviews with children’s rights group Article 39’s director Carolyne Willow looking back on his childhood in care and adult life supporting young people with experience of care.
A great many of us have tremendous respect and love for @IDickson258.
— Article 39 (@article_39) December 23, 2022
We're honoured to be able to publish his reflections on 70 years of the care system: https://t.co/tOekuJJfks @SueDickson812
“His life began in the most difficult of circumstances, and as soon as he found his feet he went back to social services to ask if he could help others,” said Article 39 in an article based on these interviews published last month.
“There must be hundreds, if not thousands, of adults out there whose lives Ian has touched and made a difference to.”
