After 35 years of tireless dedication, Senior Social Work Manager in Children’s Safeguarding Services, Sheila Simons has retired from the South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust.
Sheila’s career, marked by her unwavering commitment to safeguarding children and supporting families, has made a profound difference in both the Trust and throughout Northern Ireland.
Sheila began her career in August 1988 with the Lisburn Unit of Management, transferring to the Down Unit in February 1989, where she established her enduring legacy. Over the years, Sheila navigated restructuring within the Trust, first as part of the Down Lisburn Trust and later the South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust, working primarily within Children’s Safeguarding Services in the Down sector. Sheila’s dedication to social work was briefly extended to Adult Disability Services, but her primary focus remained on children’s safeguarding.
Reflecting on her career, Sheila shared, “What has stood out for me most of all is the compassion of the staff, many driven to make real changes in people’s lives. One of my main drivers was to give a voice to those who did not have one, particularly children who often found themselves in circumstances not of their making. I have many fond memories of times spent with the children and young people, sharing good laughs and creating memories.”
Sheila’s work has been particularly ground-breaking in the fields of Domestic Abuse and Public Protection. She worked in partnership with various partners across Northern Ireland to bring impactful changes, such as the introduction of Operation Encompass, domestic homicide reviews and the development of responsible reporting guidelines for journalists. Her advocacy extended to legislative work where she gave evidence to the justice committee to address technology-facilitated abuse, advancing protections for vulnerable individuals.
Throughout her career, Sheila connected with local, regional and international experts, who travelled to Northern Ireland to share their expertise and contribute to lasting improvements in public protection.
In December 2018, Sheila’s contributions were formally recognised with an MBE for her services to Social Care and the Protection of Women and Children.
Wishing Sheila all the best in her retirement, Assistant Director for Children’s Safeguarding Services, Jason Caldwell said, “On behalf of your friends and colleagues in the South Eastern Trust, thank you, Sheila, for your tireless dedication, for your leadership and the immeasurable difference you have made. I wish you nothing but joy, peace and fulfilment in your retirement.”
Looking forward to her very much deserved retirement, Sheila added, “To all the staff who worked alongside me past and present, I thank you all. I really appreciate everyone who has reached out and wished me well for the next chapter of my life. It is true that chance may have made us colleagues, but the fun, laughter and craziness we shared made us friends.”
