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25/03/04 - Council thanks retiring Social Services Director

Today, Joe Nicholson, Chairman of Cumbria County Council thanked retiring Acting Corporate Director of Social Services, Jean Bradshaw for 28 years of dedication and commitment to vulnerable people in Cumbria.  He says,

“Jean stood in as Acting Corporate Director of Social Services nine months ago on a short-term basis whilst the recruitment process for a longer-term appointment was under consideration.  Jean spent the previous four years undertaking invaluable work as Head of Strategic Development and Quality Control.  She has made a tremendous contribution to the work of the Council and I consider her to have been very committed to the delivery and improvement of front line services for the people of Cumbria.  She will be greatly missed by Officers and Councillors alike.”

Jean’s position as Corporate Director of Social Services has been filled on an interim basis by Stephen Wilds.  Speaking about her retirement Jean says, 

“I am confident that Stephen Wilds will enable everyone in Social Services to move onwards and upwards from the very difficult few months we have had and ensure that we demonstrate our commitment to vulnerable people in Cumbria.  

I started work for Social Services in Whitehaven in 1976 as a trainee social worker and have worked in virtually every aspect of social care work since.  My working life in Cumbria has been a mixture of enjoyment, challenges, frustrations and hard work but I hope through all that I have continually contributed to improving the lives of vulnerable people.   

I will really miss the many wonderful people I have worked with.  The Council’s greatest strength is undoubtedly its committed and skilled workforce.  This will stand the Council in good stead and I look forward to watching Cumbria Social Services move up through the star ratings in the future. 

This is a new phase in my life and I’m looking forward to doing new and different things, spending more time with my husband and sometimes even doing nothing, which really will be a novelty!