Tributes to Nottingham’s ‘dedicated’ DCS who died from Covid-19
Fiona Simpson
Monday, March 15, 2021
Tributes have been paid to Nottingham Council’s “much loved” director of children’s services who died after contracting Covid-19.
Helen Blackman died earlier this month, aged 54, after receiving hospital treatment for complications caused by the virus, the council said.
Blackman joined Nottingham City Council in 1998 from Nottinghamshire County Council and was appointed director of children’s integrated services in 2013.
Councillor David Mellen, leader of Nottingham City Council said: “Helen worked tirelessly to support our children in care and those waiting to be fostered or adopted. She knew many of them well and retained huge amounts of detail about their circumstances. Helen always conducted herself with great integrity and did what she felt was right.
“But more than that, she was a lovely person with a wonderful smile and a contagious laugh who dedicated her life to helping children. I feel privileged to have known and worked with her, and my most heartfelt condolences are with Helen’s family, friends and colleagues at this sad time.”
Sarah Caton, chief officer of the Association of Directors of Children’s Services, of which Blackman was a long-serving member, added: “Helen was hugely respected and had an ability to spread her energy and enthusiasm for helping children and families to all those she met. She touched so many people’s lives with her work and her friendship. Helen truly had the principles and values of social work running in her blood.
“Working with Helen was always a pleasure and a laugh. Her deep understanding of the issues facing children was immense and she will be sorely missed by all of us. Helen was above all a kind and caring person and this always shone through in the work she did with and for the association. I can’t believe we’ve lost her.”
A tribute will be paid to Blackman at the start of tonight’s meeting of Nottingham Full Council.