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John Simmons

Professional Qualifications

Certificate in Residential Care of Children and Young People 1969
Certificate of Qualification in Social Work 1976

Career 1967 – 2004

John Simmons worked for 37 years in Social Services in Derbyshire. When joining the service in 1967 he worked in the Children’s Department but following spells in the Mental Welfare Department he joined the generic Social Services in 1972. His work in the early years of Social Services focussed almost entirely in the area of Child and Family Care. He progressed to the post of Senior Social worker in 1978 in the South West sector of Derby, an area with some 30% BME community. In 1980 he became Area Social Services Manager for the South East sector of the City, arguably the most deprived area of Derby. It was at this stage that his career involved the management of Adult Services and particularly Older People Services. Working his way through the various management tiers he became Deputy Director of Social Services and Head of Adult Services (including Older People) in 1992. A significant part of his role at the time of appointment was the introduction of Community Care. He held the position of Deputy Director until his retirement in 2004.

In 2002 Derbyshire commissioned a review into all matters relating to Older People and asked John to undertake this task. The review was agreed with all District Councils in the County and the seven PCTs together with the Hospital Trusts. It was at this stage that he became involved with BGOP and he has remained passionate about the agenda since that time.

The review in 2002 started with a focus on the engagement of older people and this has remained a primary interest for John. He believes fervently that older people do not need telling what is required and the principles held by BGOP reflect his views that older people should be involved at all levels of governance.

As well as being Chair of a local forum in Derbyshire he is a member of Derbyshire OPAG, Vice-Chair of OPAG East Midlands, an elected member of OPAG UK and a member of the Executive. He is an Individual Representative on the Transformational Government (Older People Services) Customer Group Team.

John is a fervent believer in the value of Intergeneration Practice and is pleased that Derbyshire have, following the findings of the Older People’s review, undertaken a significant project in developing such initiatives in the County.

More recently John has become a Board member of The Beth Johnson Foundation, an organisation looking at all matters relating to Older People’s issues and who hold the national lead on Intergenerational Practice.

OPAG UK recently asked John to be involved with the Audit Commission in a national study looking at ‘Well-Being in Later Life’.

This study is looking at various Councils and examining what steps are being taken to look at the wider issues which impact on older people’s lives. The research report will be published in July 2008 and will identify positive steps which local areas can take to further the well-being of older people.