Former Downpatrick man included in honours list

Former Downpatrick man included in honours list

6 January 2021

A FORMER Downpatrick man has been recognised in the New Year’s Honours list for public service.

Sean Holland, who is the Chief Social Worker in the Office of Social Services (OSS) for the Department of Health, has received a CBE.

Mr Holland retains strong family links in the Downpatrick area.

He leads a team which supports ministers, the Department of Health, other government departments and agencies working in the field of social care.

His team works with others to ensure that social work and social care services are responsive to the needs of the population in Northern Ireland and are of the highest standards in keeping with the resources available.

Mr Holland also carries lead executive responsibility for family policy, child care policy, social services training policy and standards and the discharge of social services statutory functions.

He warned last March about the important role that social care would play in supporting vulnerable people throughout the pandemic.

Mr Holland said at the time: “I have no doubt that the importance of social care to society is going to be demonstrated as never before. In expressing my thanks to every single social care worker, I also have to stress that they will really need the public to work with them during this extremely challenging period.”

He continued: “The Department of Health, alongside other parts of government are stepping up a major programme to ensure that vulnerable people in communities are supported. This is not something that Health and Social Care can deliver on its own, it will require everyone in society to support this effort.

“There has already been a huge response by local people in local communities to provide a helping hand to those who most need it. This is already making an invaluable difference  to the quality of people’s lives during these challenging times. 

“We want to harness and build on that energy and goodwill to ensure no-one is left on their own.”