MICHAEL LEADBETTERMichael Leadbetter, who died on 17 April, 2009, aged 62, was an English rugby union international who went on to a very different career in social services.Born in Southport, Lancashire on 25 July, 1946, he studied print technology at Manchester College of Art and Design and went on to work at a print works but found the job unsatisfying.Fortuna tely he found his salvation in rugby union. He played for Lancashire in the late 1960s and early ’70s and won a cap for England against France in 1970. He later changed codes to rugby league.But in 1974 he embarked in a new direction, taking a job as a social worker in Manchester. Finding this fairly new field fascinating, he took an MA in psychoanalysis theory at Manchester University.“I wanted to make a difference,” he recalled in 2000. “The job in the early 1970s was exciting and I had real optimism, which I retain to this day, that appropriately delivered social welfare can make a difference.”He became one of the area’s most influential social services figures, with several district manager appointments, before moving to Essex where he was director of social services for the local council in 1993. He held the role for 10 years and also served as president of the Association of Directors of Social Services in the year 2001/02.After his retirement he was involved in various charities and sat on the boards of the General Social Care Council and North Essex primary care trust.He died of cancer and left behind his wife, Pam, and two sons, Lin and Jan.Among those to pay tribute was Jane Haywood, chief executive of the Children's Workforce Development Council which Mr Leaderbetter had been chairman of since 2007.She said: “The contribution Michael made to the children and young people's workforce is immense. He has driven our social work programme with passion and commitment and been a real influence for change in social work. His commitment to children and young people has been an inspiration to many in the sector.”Jeremy Todd, chief executive of the charity Parentline Plus, said: “Mike's death is a huge loss to Parentline Plus and to me personally. I am full of respect and admiration for the work he has done over the years to support parents, families and children particularly those who are vulnerable or excluded. His legacy is one of ensuring the child remains at the heart of all services and he will be greatly missed.”
Keep me informed of updates
