Dr Ruth Allen

Biog

Dr Ruth Allen holds a Master’s degree in Social Work from the University of Sussex, a Professional Doctorate in Education, also awarded by the University of Sussex and has over twenty years’ experience in social work. She is also actively involved in current social work research through her research fellowship with St George’s University.  In April 2016 she was appointed as Chief Executive of the British Association of Social Workers.  Prior to taking on this role Dr Allen was Director of Social Work at South West London and St Georges’ Mental Health Trust, and Chair of the Mental Health Faculty at the College of Social Work, a faculty which she helped to establish, with a new focus for promoting and supporting professional social work practice in England.  She has co-chaired the Practice Advisory Group to the Chief Social Worker for Adults, chaired the Social Care Strategic Network for Mental Health, and was the co-developer and facilitator for the Excellence in Social Work Leadership programme, alongside being a recognised author in social work and a practice development consultant.  Throughout her career she has focussed on values based leadership and change in social work, mental health and the wider health and social care system. She is committed to developing excellent practice and working to create great services, including developing professional leadership in social work, which has led to her devising and running courses on this with diverse collaborators.