Towering figure of social work Tom White dies, aged 93
Tom White, one of BASW’s founding members and the first director of social services in England, has died, aged 93.
The son of a Welsh miner from humble beginnings, Tom rose to become an influential figure in social work, advising on government policy and holding a number of high profile roles, including that of chief executive of NCH Action for Children.
In 1990 he was awarded a CBE for his work supporting people and communities and that same decade gained an honorary doctorate from Coventry University.
His was a remarkable journey for someone who left home aged 16 to find work in order to support his sick father, mother and four younger brothers.
Such early struggle may have fuelled Tom’s passion for social justice which led him to work for the National Insurance Office distributing benefits to people after his national service with the RAF.
During this time, he also became involved in youth work and the local Labour party which influenced his decision to study social science at Swansea University in his mid-20s.
Tom went on to train to become a social worker at the London School of Economics and gained his first social work job in Devon. In this role – and through his membership of the Association of Childcare Officers – he advocated for doing everything possible to keep families together. He also used his Labour party contacts to lobby for reforms and influence government policy.
In 1970, he moved to Coventry, becoming first person in England and Wales to be appointed to the new role of director of social services following the formation of generic social services departments in wake of the Seebohm report.
A time of enthusiasm and hope for the future, Tom was at the heart of the changes that came with the development of social services.
He was also involved in negotiations to establish BASW, becoming one of its first members in 1970.
During his 15 years at Coventry, the city became a pioneer of progressive, innovative social work that changed the way services were perceived and provided.
He was also an active member of the Association of Directors of Social Services during this time, serving as its president in 1974.
But personal tragedy also came to Tom and his wife Eileen during this time with the death of one of his three children, David, in a car crash in 1972.
Tom left Coventry City Council in 1985, going on to the National Children's Homes (which became Action for Children) as director of social work and later as chief executive, helping to shift its focus away from residential care towards family support.
He retired in 1996, but did not stop there, carrying on in public service as a councillor for Coventry. True to his social work roots, he took on responsibility for community wellbeing within the council cabinet.
His work was recognised by Coventry City Council with an Award of Merit.
Addressing mourners at his funeral, friend and former social services director Adrianne Jones described Tom as a “driven, visionary, modest, ambitious and energetic” man.
She added: “Tom has left an enduring legacy having made a positive impact throughout his whole working life.
“He did not react to challenges on a whim. He brought inspiration, strength and dedication. He applied himself in a purposeful way to improving legislation, resources and services. All this was for the benefit of children and adults who need and use social care and for the staff who deliver the services.”
Former BASW general secretary David N Jones, who represented the association at Tom’s funeral, said: “Tom White was one of the giants of social work who helped shape the 1970s’ social services reorganisations.
“A founder and lifelong member of BASW, he returned to play an influential role on Council in the 1990s. Energetic and inspirational, Tom was a committed and idealistic social worker to his core, whose achievements are rightly celebrated.”
Close friend Simon Rodway OBE, also a social worker and former director of social services, said of Tom: "He had strong ideas and believed in demonstrating to clients that one understood their difficulties and their potential.
"I once did an enquiry for him into allegations at an NCH establishment. He was incredibly concerned that we should show understanding and care for all involved. He was a man with an enormous number of ideas which he was determined to put into practice. He could be challenging and provocative, but always caring."
Tom’s wife Eileen passed away last year. He is survived by his two daughters Vivienne and Ceri.