Dr Ruth Allen appointed to TCSW Mental Health Faculty chair

Published Date: 29 June 2012

The College of Social Work (TCSW) has today (Tuesday 26 June) announced that Dr Ruth Allen is to take up the position of transitional faculty chair for The College's Mental Health Faculty.

Dr Allen is a qualified social worker and Director of Social Work for South West London and St George's Mental Health Trust in south west London. She is also a member of ADASS mental health, drug and alcohol policy sub-group and the chair of the national Social Care Strategic Network for mental health.

Dr Allen was nominated to the role of transitional faculty chair by the Adult Mental Health Professionals leads network and appointed to the position at a meeting of The College's Transitional Professional Assembly last week.
Commenting on her appointment Dr Allen said:

"The role of transitional chair for the Mental Health Faculty will help lay the foundations for an effective professional development infrastructure within The College.

"The College must reach out and be relevant to all social work practitioners in all settings and organisations, as well as social work leaders and academics.

"I am honoured to be given the opportunity to work with other leaders of professional practice to build this core of The College's function. I look forward to working across the boundaries of different sections of the social work community to create an integrated and coherent structure for the future."

Professor Corinne May-Chahal, Interim Co-Chair of TCSW said: "We are extremely pleased to have an expert practitioner of Dr Allen's background and commitment in the role of transitional chair for our Mental Health Faculty.

"Dr Allen's wealth of experience in both her field of social work specialism and in cross sector working is crucially important for The College. Our transitional faculties have a vital role to play in developing the work of The College and Dr Allen has an invaluable contribution to make."

Dr Allen is the third and final transitional faculty chair to be appointed by The College.

Bernard Walker has taken up the role of transitional faculty chair for Adults and Professor Eileen Munro has been appointed to the transitional faculty chair for Children and Families.

The transitional faculty chairs will be in post for 12 months to firmly establish the faculties and pave the way for elections to permanent chair roles.