Tribute to social work leader who helped shape the profession

Published by Professional Social Work magazine, 6 April, 2023

Respected social worker Peter Westland, whose work has had a lasting impact on the profession, has died aged 90 after a short illness.

Peter was a leading figure in the professional and political world of social services spanning many years, training at the London School of Economics on one of the early ‘Carnegie courses’.

He began his career as a probation officer and went on to become one of the first directors of social services at the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham.

Peter took a special interest in the Maria Colwell Report, published in the wake of the tragic death of the seven-year-old in 1973 that had a profound impact on social work.

He led the development of Career Grade Child Protection social workers, and social work’s input to the Parliamentary Committee on Violence in the Family. He then moved on to play a significant role as the social services lead in the Association of Metropolitan Authorities (AMA) during the Thatcher government. 

Peter went on to serve as chairman of the charity Action on Elder Abuse, trustee of the BBC Helpline and as commissioner (board member) of the Commission for Social Care Inspection.

Following retirement, Peter remained engaged with the world of social policy. He was active in the Social Work History Network, frequently contributing to meetings and papers with his customary perceptive insights and gentle wit.

BASW chair Julia Ross said: “Peter was my first and very memorable boss when I worked at Hammersmith and Fulham. His knowledge was extensive and his humane influence on the politics and policy of social services was profound. He will be much missed.”

Peter is survived by his wife Jane, their three children Naomi, Hannah and Daniel, and eight grandchildren.