New social work chief takes up post

The council’s new chief social worker, Martha Nicolson, has begun her new job.

Mrs Nicolson is from Lerwick and worked in Aberdeen and Orkney before returning to the isles in 1998.
Married with a grown up family, she originally trained as a children’s nurse then went on to qualify in social work.

Mrs Nicolson will also hold the post of executive manager at the council’s Children and Families. She said she was looking forward to the work ahead.

“I am coming into this post at an exciting time as Health and Social Care begin to integrate, and I look forward to developing the opportunities that will emerge from this. I am also looking forward to supporting our social work teams, in particular the Children and Families team, for which I have specific responsibility.”

Chairwoman of Education and Families, Vaila Wishart, said: “Martha brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to this important position, most recently gained as executive manager Children’s Resources, and I am delighted with this appointment.

“Martha has a strong record of service improvement and effective leadership, and is well placed to take forward social work in Shetland.”