Appointment to the Social Workers Registration Board

The Minister for Health, Simon Harris TD, has appointed the following person as a member of the Social Workers Registration Board, on her election by the registrants of the designated profession, with effect from 30 August 2018 to 4 August 2022:

Ms. Gabrielle Fitzpatrick

Ms Fitzpatrick has practiced as a professional social worker for over 25 years in the areas of mental health, fostering/adoption, medical social work, addiction and in the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS). She is also involved in advocacy in the areas of human rights, social justice, homelessness and all aspects of client /family needs.

Ms Fitzpatrick graduated from University College Dublin with a Bachelor of Social Science degree. She also has a Masters in Social Work from Queens University Belfast and a Post Grad Diploma in Addiction Studies from Trinity College Dublin. As part of the National Clinical Programs in Mental Health, she has also undertaken training in behavioral family therapy, specialising in early intervention psychosis.

Ms Fitzpatrick is a member of the Irish Association of Social Workers (IASW) and of the special interest group linked to the IASW; Social Workers Adult Mental Health (SWAMH). In this capacity she is involved in the organisation of continuing professional development events including a seminar held in April this year, titled “Psychosocial Interventions in Social Work-Championing our Therapeutic Skills”. She is currently working on a seminar planned to be held in November 2018, “A Critical reflection of The Mental Health Act-17 years on”, in association with the Irish Mental Health Lawyers Association.