Why I became an ADASS Trustee, and why you should consider it too

By Caroline Baria, ADASS Trustee and Director of Adults and Health at Leeds City Council.

When I qualified as a social worker many years ago, I couldn’t have predicted the journey ahead. I started my career working in children’s services and have always worked within local government. Over time, I moved into adults’ services, where I began a deep and lasting commitment to adult social care and health.

For the past three years, I’ve been Director of Adults and Health at Leeds City Council. Before that, I spent many years as a Deputy Director, with responsibility for both social work and integrated commissioning alongside our NHS colleagues. Those experiences, working across professional boundaries and organisational systems, have shaped my belief in collaboration, strong professional practice, and the importance of a confident national voice for adult social care.

I’ve been a Trustee at ADASS for four years now. My first year was as an Extended Member, when I was still in my Deputy Director role. I wasn’t a regional or thematic co-lead before becoming a Trustee, I stepped into the role because I wanted to contribute more directly to the national conversation about adult social care.

Over these past four years, I’ve had the privilege of leading on several areas of work. One of these has been Equality, Diversity and Inclusion. I chair the national EDI network, which brings together local authority colleagues and representatives from organisations such as Skills for Care, Social Work England and Principal Children’s and Families Social Worker Network. This has been a rich and important space for sharing learning and strengthening our collective commitment to inclusive leadership and equitable services.

I’ve also chaired a workforce subgroup focused on professional practice. This group includes colleagues from social work, occupational therapy and other key agencies, and our work feeds directly into the national Workforce Group. In this capacity, I’ve also linked into the Accelerate Programme, a leadership programme for new and aspiring Directors of Adult Social Services. Supporting the development of the next generation of leaders is something I care deeply about.

More recently, I’ve taken on the role of Vice Chair of both the Policy Committee and the Finance and Risk Committee. I’ve particularly valued being part of the Policy Committee, which brings together the extensive national work being led by policy colleagues across the country. It’s a powerful reminder of the depth of expertise within ADASS and the influence we can have when we speak with a collective voice.

In all of this, I’ve been brilliantly supported by the ADASS National Team, who organise the networks and manage the administration. That support makes a real difference, reducing the pressure and enabling Trustees to focus on the substance of the work.

Without question, one of the best aspects of being a Trustee is the opportunity to share and learn alongside fellow Trustees and the ADASS National Team. The conversations are thoughtful, challenging and always grounded in a shared commitment to improving outcomes for people who draw on care and support.

I’ve had the privilege of being involved in discussions with senior civil servants and contributing to shaping and influencing national policy. This has included work around local government’s role in intermediate care, the emerging neighbourhood health developments, and early discussions linked to the Casey Review on social care reform. Being able to contribute to those national debates on behalf of the sector is both humbling and motivating.

I’ve also really enjoyed contributing to ADASS Spring Seminars and the National Children and Adult Services Conference, chairing workshops and breakout sessions. These events are energising spaces where ideas are shared, challenged and developed.

One of the key considerations of being a Trustee is balancing the role alongside other professional commitments. The role is designed to be manageable, with shared responsibility across the Board and support from the executive team. Many Trustees find that the learning, development and sense of purpose they gain far outweigh the time invested, particularly when they see the national impact of strengthening the voice of adult social care and supporting colleagues across the country.

If you’re looking for a new challenge and you’re interested in helping to shape the future of adult social care, I would absolutely encourage you to apply to become a Trustee. The learning, professional development and networking opportunities are significant. More than that, it’s an opportunity to contribute to something bigger than your own local authority, to influence national thinking and to stand alongside colleagues in advocating for our profession and the people we serve.

I’m confident you’ll get a huge amount out of it. I certainly have!