Stephen Mason, Cumbria County Council's senior education officer for attendance and exclusion will be the next President of the National Association of Social Workers in Education (NASWE).
The NASWE is the only professional association representing the views of education welfare officers, education social workers and other professional working within this field nationally. The group's main priorities are:
1. The promotion of education inclusion for all children
2. The establishment of National Occupational Standards in practice, recruitment and training
3. Professional development at all levels
Stephen is looking forward to taking up his position on 19th April 2006. He said:
"It is a privilege to be selected by your professional peers to represent them nationally. There are exciting developments in the area of child social care and education as the new Children Act is implemented, changing the way we work to make better outcomes for children and young people. Education Welfare Officers, Social Workers, Learning Mentors and Connexions PAs all have much to offer these developments. Belonging to such a long established association reminds me of the importance of taking with us the best of past practice whilst being ever ready to embrace change that really does mean Every Child Matters and that every child is given a chance to do their very best in education and beyond."