Mark Harvey is the Executive Director of Adults and Communities and the statutory Director of Adult Social Services (DASS) at Southend-on-Sea City Council. He leads adult social care, community, culture and heritage services. His focus is on improving people’s lives and helping local communities thrive.
Mark is a qualified and registered social worker with many years of experience in local government and national leadership.
Before joining Southend-on-Sea City Council, he was Chief Social Worker for England at the Department of Health and Social Care. In this role, he provided professional leadership for adult social work across England. He promoted high standards of practice, supported safeguarding, and helped drive improvements in social care. He also advised the government on adult social care policy and practice.
Earlier in his career, Mark held senior roles in adult social care at Hertfordshire County Council and NHS organisations in Hertfordshire. He led work to improve services, supported day-to-day operations, planned and commissioned services, and worked closely with health, voluntary and community organisations.
Mark has also written research on social justice, human rights and learning disabilities. He has co-authored several books on social work practice and social justice.
As Director of Adult Social Services in Southend-on-Sea, Mark is committed to person-centred care that builds on people’s strengths. He believes in investing in staff, working closely with partners and communities, and providing high-quality adult social care that meets people’s needs now and in the future.