Profession mourns stalwart of social work who cared passionately about social justice

Published by Professional Social Work magazine, 12 July, 2023

Tributes have been paid to Kate Pryde, a longstanding BASW member and leading light of Scottish social work who has passed away aged 74.

Kate Pryde was the first Scottish UK chair of BASW, a post she held between 1991 and 1992 and also a former chair of the editorial board for PSW magazine.

Born in Glasgow in 1948, she graduated into the profession through Glasgow University before taking her first social work role with Clackmannanshire Council in 1973.

It was at a time when the world’s first social work act was just being implemented following the Kilbrandon report, which led to the Social Work (Scotland) Act 1968. The legislation focused on the duty of local authorities to promote social wellbeing and introduced Children’s Hearings to Scotland.

This vision of promoting social health was central to Kate’s values and principles, according to those who knew Kate. She was chair of BASW when the association hosted the IFSW European Conference in Glasgow, the first time it was held after the fall of the Berlin Wall. Titled Love, Law and the Child, it took place on the 20th anniversary of the birth of the Children’s Hearing system. Those who attended still remember Kate’s warmth and humour.

In 1986 Kate became head of adult services in Motherwell, part of the Lanarkshire division of the Strathclyde Region, until local government reorganisation in 1996.

She was a formidable practice teacher who focused on making sure people coming into the profession were well supported. She sat on a number of Practice Teaching Panels, including Jordanhill in Glasgow, which helped raise the standards of social work training for practice.

In later life, Kate’s career in management took her into adult services where, in 2002, she headed the service for Falkirk Council. She became a board member of the Scottish Social Services Council and was involved in the annual judging of their social work awards.

In 2011 she was appointed to the Children’s Panel, helping many families find positive ways forward in their lives. 

But it is perhaps for her contributions to conferences and AGMs that many outside Scotland will best remember Kate. She would speak up passionately for social justice and the role of social work in promoting social health – but was also always ready for a party and some songs.

Those who knew her describe a warm, kind, generous person with a love of life and recall her sense of humour and “loud infectious laugh”.

Ruth Stark, former manager of the Scottish Association of Social Work (SASW), said: “Kate’s commitment to high standards, the care in nurturing people to give of their best and her realisation that this could only be done with a good work-life balance was inspirational to her students and her colleagues. She also knew how to party - as many will remember - a glass of wine in her hand and a song. She is a great loss to us all, but her legacy will go on.”

Former BASW chair Graham Thompson, said: “Her irrepressibly warm and welcoming personality always left me feeling very much at ease with the Scottish contingent, through whom, over time, I was very agreeably inducted into the subtleties of Islay whisky.

“As a professional champion for social work, particularly ensuring that Scotland’s voice was always heard, she was second to none, and her career record, together with her time as our chair, very much reflects that.”

Brian Fearon, a former colleague and friend of 50 years, said: “Kate was so much a key player in building the Scottish identity for BASW.

“I will miss the late-night phone calls, especially during Covid, catching up on people and events from this funny, kind, vivacious and hugely committed woman. She was committed to service users, women in the profession and professional social work standards. A true leader in Scottish social work."

Former BASW chief executive Ian Johnston said: “Looking back on the ups and downs of my 50-year career in social work, I doubt if I would have survived without the friendship and professional support I received from people like Kate through our membership of BASW. She was always there for us and will be sorely missed by all who knew her.”

Johan Grant, former national administrator for SASW, said: “She was always kind, never forgot important events in your life, was very committed to social work and to the people she came into contact with.”

Former SASW professional officer Tim Parkinson said Kate almost single-handedly kept SASW’s Forth Valley branch going and “punching above its weight” for many years.

He added: “Though the branch eventually folded, Kate’s enthusiasm for social work, and her drive and concern for others in society around her, never did."

*With thanks to Ruth Stark and Rena Phillips