About / History of ADSW
History of ADSW
"Forty years ago, Social Work in Scotland was on the cusp of massive change. The Social Work (Scotland) Act 1968 had been passed and was in the process of being implemented. The Act proved to be a landmark for Scotland. It provided a comprehensive service, dealing with problems affecting individuals, families and communities. It recognised the need for a director who could advise local authorities about social needs, and recognised that human problems ‘seldom come singly’. It swept away the segregated welfare, children’s and probation departments.
"In October 1969, as part of the preparations for the implementation of the Act, the newly-appointed directors of social work gathered in Peebles. At that meeting, the Association of Directors of Social Work (ADSW) was formed. Forty years later, ADSW is still going strong: an important voice for people in need, developing professional practice, lobbying government, guiding COSLA and working with partner agencies."
Cllr Bob Winter, The Lord Provost of Glasgow is a past President of the Association of Directors of Social Work and retired in 1996 from the post of Director of Social Work, Strathclyde Region. This is an extract from a speech he made at the ADSW Annual Lecture in 2009.
Past Presidents
| 1970 H Mapstone |
1992 I Gilmour |
| 1971 J Murphy |
1993 J Dick |
| 1972 J Gregory |
1994 P Bates |
| 1973 J Johnston |
1995 P Bates |
| 1974 W Grant |
1996 A Cameron |
| 1977 J Murphy |
1997 L McEwan |
| 1978 S Moxley |
1998 P Cassidy |
| 1979 D Macdonald |
1999 G Irvine |
| 1980 H Garland |
2000 M Wells |
| 1981 R Winter |
2001 C Wilkinson |
| 1982 R Poor |
2002 J Dickie |
| 1983 A Gillespie |
2003 D MacAulay |
| 1984 M Hartnoll |
2004 A Jay |
| 1985 M Hartnoll |
2005 C Mackenzie |
| 1986 R Kent |
2006 D Crawford |
| 1987 R Kent |
2007 B Docherty |
| 1989 F Edwards |
2008 A Baird |
| 1990 I Ross |
2009 H Dempster |
| 1991 A Robb |
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