Dawn Smith has been a Worthing Borough Councillor for Broadwater since May 2019 and was elected to the County Council division of Broadwater on May 6th 2021. She lives in Broadwater with her three children, and apart from councillor duties she is is a carer and  school governor.

Dawn’s professional background is in education and social care, both large areas of responsibility managed by West Sussex County Council, so she expects to make full use of her experience in navigating these areas of service on behalf of her residents. Her top priority is to be a voice for those who are in need of support. Dawn studied politics at the University of Exeter and her postgraduate teacher training at The University of Oxford. She taught history and humanities before moving into special educational needs assessment at a neighbouring local authority.

She has been a school governor in a Primary School in Broadwater, and is currently a school governor in a local High School. She says “Being a school governor is a rewarding community role and gives me a privileged insight into how schools are run. All of my children attend Worthing schools so I’m experienced in the issues from a parenting and community perspective.”

As a local councillor, Dawn has served on the licensing committee and is now in the Shadow Customer Services Team, which covers housing, revenue and benefits. The part of her borough councillor role she finds most enjoyable is residents’ casework, as she enjoys talking with them and trying to resolve issues that arise.  Dawn is a member of The National Education Union Councillors Network. On 26th February she sent an open letter, along with over 750 other councillors across the UK to the Prime Minister  to demand an extension to Free School Meals provision to all families in receipt of Universal Credit.  She will always stand up for the needs of children and families in Broadwater.

Dawn says, “People with disabilities and their carers need representatives who understand the issues they face with first hand, lived experience. They are a community that so often has to fight to be heard. I have both employment experience as a respite carer, and the personal experience as a parent of a child with disabilities. I seek to be their community representative voice at County Hall.”

“I will fight to keep our vital community assets that face potential closure, including Broadwater Library and The Wave Children’s and Family Centres, both situated on Dominion Road. These are services that support many of our local residents in a wide variety of ways, and I will oppose closing services that help our community here in Broadwater, across the County and beyond.”