Jane Shears heads up Northern Ireland and Scotland
Dr Jane Shears has been appointed as the new National Director for Northern Ireland and Scotland. The organisational restructure means that Carolyn Ewart will be leaving her role.
Dr Shears has headed up BASW’s Professional Development and Education since 2018 and serves as the Global Commissioner of the IFSW Ethics Commission. She has also continued to practice as a mental health social worker, giving her a strong grounding in the challenges and experiences of everyday practice.
Dr Shears said: “I’m deeply honoured to be taking on the leadership of BASW Northern Ireland and want to extend my thanks to Carolyn for her dedicated commitment to working on behalf of our members, the wider social work profession, and people with lived experience during her hugely successful tenure.
“I am looking forward to meeting with our National Standing Committee and wider membership over the coming days and weeks to hear their ideas and begin drawing up our renewed objectives, actions, and priorities as the leading voice for social work professionals in Northern Ireland.”
During her time as National Director, Carolyn has been an excellent leader, colleague, and advocate for social work in Northern Ireland. Under her leadership, BASW Northern Ireland has strengthened its voice, expanded its influence, and ensured that the perspectives of social workers have been heard at every level of decision-making.
Carolyn's tireless commitment, passion, and professionalism have left an indelible mark on BASW Northern Ireland and the wider profession. Her contribution has shaped policy, advanced practice, and ensured that members have had a strong, credible advocate in the most challenging of times.
BASW Northern Ireland Chair, Davy HayesCarolyn has worked tirelessly and demonstrated real devotion to promoting the interests of the social work profession and social workers in NI and beyond.
BASW Northern Ireland Chair, Davy Hayes added: “Carolyn has been National Director of BASW NI for the past 15 years and, it is with a sense of real sadness that we bid farewell to her today.
“I have known Carolyn personally for the last 10 years in my role as a member, Vice Chair, and now Chair of the NI Standing Committee. It is hard to put into words the impact that Carolyn has had on social work in NI; to many she simply is BASW NI.
“Carolyn has worked tirelessly and demonstrated real devotion to promoting the interests of the social work profession and social workers in NI and beyond. Her commitment to social work has resulted in her being known to virtually every social worker in NI, from newly qualified staff to those in very senior positions, and to many in other professions with whom she has engaged positively and effectively to promote the social work profession and social workers.
“I would like to thank Carolyn both personally, and on behalf of my fellow members of the NI Standing Committee and the wider social work profession in NI, for her years of dedicated service and the work she has undertaken on behalf of us all in NI, which has always been guided by her social work values and ethical principles. Carolyn has been a real asset to social work in NI and I hope you will join me in acknowledging this and in wishing her the very best for the next chapter in her professional life.”
While we are saddened to see her leave, we are immensely grateful for her leadership and service. Her legacy within BASW Northern Ireland will be long felt, and she leaves with our heartfelt thanks and very best wishes for the future. We wish Carolyn every success as she moves forward to new opportunities and continued achievements.
