Staffordshire Council Overhauls Children's Services, Appoints New Leaders

In a move to address the poor performance of its children's services, Staffordshire County Council is set to appoint two new senior officers as part of a major restructuring effort. The council carried out a reorganization of its children and families directorate, with the goal of creating a "culture of practice excellence" to improve outcomes for children and young people.

This comes after the council's children's services received a "requires improvement" rating following an Ofsted inspection in 2023. The new positions, which include an assistant director for family safeguarding and an assistant director for early intervention and prevention, have been allocated salaries ranging from £95,083 to £99,735, plus a car allowance and market supplement, totaling up to £114,130.

The assistant director for family safeguarding will be responsible for revising the council's approach to multi-agency safeguarding hubs and strengthening the service's operating model. Meanwhile, the assistant director for early intervention and prevention will "support the culture change and organizational remodel required to improve children and family services" and ensure the council meets new policy requirements.

Councillor Nick Lakin, the cabinet member for children and young people, acknowledged the need for more support and resources to move the service in the right direction. He praised the council's front-line staff for their excellent work in "complex" and "difficult" circumstances, making a difference on a daily basis.

Earlier this year, the council had already appointed a new deputy director of children and families and an assistant director for children in care and care leavers as part of its ongoing restructuring efforts.