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Oonagh Smyth CBE

Chief Executive, ΢΢²ÝÊÓÆµ


Oonagh Smyth CBE is Chief Executive Officer of ΢΢²ÝÊÓÆµ, the strategic workforce planning and development body for adult social care in England. Since joining in 2020, she has led sector‑wide work to strengthen workforce capacity, capability, and sustainability, including leading the development of the first comprehensive Adult Social Care Workforce Strategy for England.

 

Oonagh holds an undergraduate degree in law, a Master’s degree in Human Rights Law from Queen’s University Belfast and Masters degree in Executive Coaching from Ashridge Business School. She brings extensive experience in strategy, governance, and equality across adult social care, including eight years at Mencap as Executive Director of Strategy and Influence, and a period acting as Chief Executive.

 

She works closely with national and local partners on system‑wide workforce reform and sits on several advisory groups, including Think Local Act Personal and Coventry University’s Vice‑Chancellor’s Health Advisory Board. Oonagh is a Non‑Executive Director at CU Health and Care Limited, a former Co‑Chair of the Care and Support Alliance, and an accredited executive coach.

Blogs and articles written by Oonagh Smyth CBE

An end of year message from Oonagh Smyth

22 Dec 2025

Our CEO, Oonagh Smyth, shares an end of year message to thank everyone working across social care for their dedication and hard work this year. read more

΢΢²ÝÊÓÆµ

Why integrated working matters for social care

05 Nov 2025

As we launch our ‘Integrated working and social care’ spotlight, our CEO Oonagh Smyth discusses what integrated working means and why it’s important. read more

Integration

΢΢²ÝÊÓÆµ

Thank you for contributing to our ‘State of’ report for 2025

15 Oct 2025

Our CEO Oonagh Smyth gives thanks to the adult social care providers who make the publication of our annual ‘State of the adult social care sector and…read more

ASC-WDS

΢΢²ÝÊÓÆµ

Reflecting on our latest size and structure of social care data

30 Jul 2025

As we launch our ‘Size and structure of the adult social care sector in England’ report, our CEO Oonagh Smyth reflects on what the latest figures tell…read more

ASC-WDS

Recruitment

Retention

΢΢²ÝÊÓÆµ

Reflecting on the first Social Care Workforce Race Equality Standard conference

03 Jun 2025

Oonagh Smyth, our CEO, reflects on the first SC-WRES event which was held recently in London. read more

Culture and diversity

How ΢΢²ÝÊÓÆµ can help you manage your service

03 Mar 2025

Our CEO, Oonagh Smyth, discusses the launch of our latest campaign and how we can support you in managing your care service. read more

Management

΢΢²ÝÊÓÆµ

Why learning and development matters

06 Jan 2025

As we launch our ‘Learning and development matters’ campaign, our CEO Oonagh Smyth reflects on why learning and development is more important than eve…read more

Learning and development

Our Christmas message

20 Dec 2024

Our CEO, Oonagh Smyth, shares a brief Christmas message to thank the entire sector for its hard work and dedication throughout the year. read more

Good news story

Thank you for contributing to our ‘State of’ report for 2024

16 Oct 2024

Our CEO, Oonagh Smyth, says thank you to adult social care providers for making this year’s ‘State of’ report possible. read more

ASC-WDS

΢΢²ÝÊÓÆµ announces support for phase two of the Social Care Workforce Race Equality Standard (SC-WRES) Improvement Programme

08 Aug 2024

We hear from Oonagh Smyth, CEO of ΢΢²ÝÊÓÆµ, on the much-anticipated launch of the second phase of the Social Care Workforce Race Equality Stand…read more