Paul Burstow – social policy expert and former minister of state for social care - has been appointed as chair of the national improvement agency and independent charity, the Social Care Institute for Excellence.
Following a competitive selection process and formal approval by the SCIE Board of Trustees, Paul takes over from Lord Michael Bichard as chair with immediate effect.
Speaking about the appointment, Peter Hay, SCIE trustee and chair of the appointment panel says: "Paul brings with him a wealth of insight, experience and contacts. His passion and commitment to improving care and support is evident and on behalf of SCIE staff and trustees we look forward to working with him."
Paul welcomes the new opportunities that the role brings, saying: "I am looking forward to working with the team at SCIE. These are tough times for social care and now more than ever the sector needs a practical solutions-focused improvement agency. With its history of co-production and asset-based approaches SCIE is uniquely placed to support integration working across the NHS and social care interface.
Paul is currently chair of the north London based Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust, chair of the National Advisory Panel of the Design Council’s Transform Ageing programme, and professor of mental health public policy at the University of Birmingham. An MP from 1997 to 2015, he was Minister of State at the Department of Health from 2010-12, and architect of the thinking and discussions which led to the Care Act.
