A country that works for children
This is my first blog as President of the Association of Directors of Children’s Services.
Last week, Thursday 6 April, I was joined by my family and friends, colleagues and others at the British Medical Association for my presidential inauguration. I am honored to have the opportunity to represent colleagues at a national level and to give voice to some of the challenges facing children, young people and their families and the local authorities working so hard to support them. I look forward to the year ahead which is made even more special as this year ADCS celebrates 10 years since its creation. I recently wrote a piece for Community Care about our 10th anniversary and how children’s services have changed in the past decade.
I follow in the footsteps of Dave Hill, who has worked tirelessly with government colleagues and others from across the sector over the last 12 months to drive improvements that make a real difference to the lives of children and their families. I will value his support and wise counsel over the coming year as I work to continue this legacy – so Dave, I’m afraid your aim of returning ‘to relative obscurity’ is not going to happen!
In my inaugural speech I outlined the Association’s priorities for the coming year and what I hope will be the golden thread throughout my presidency and beyond. I look forward to working towards the delivery of these priorities and to supporting a national conversation on what a country that works for children might look like.
It’s hard to argue with the premise that we need a country that works for children. One that is preparing its children to thrive - not just survive; one that ensures its children’s most basic needs are met, that they are kept safe, have a suitable place to live, enough food and water and that they have accessible, inclusive educational opportunities etc. One might be forgiven for assuming that all children and young people have these fundamental things – they do not. I recently read that there are 4 million children living in poverty in this country – that’s almost one third of the total child population. This cannot be right. If the government wants to achieve its ambition to create ‘a country that works for everyone’, we must first start with one that works for our children.
Shortly I will be asking ADCS colleagues to help me describe what a country that works for children might look like so we can develop some consistent messages and ‘asks’.
It will be a huge privilege to drive and influence this and other work over the coming 12 months, I look forward to working with you during my presidency and to championing a country that works for children.
Related Blog Articles
With the summer holidays fast becoming a distant memory I guess like everyone...
In Funding
Yesterday, I was extremely proud to deliver my inaugural speech as ADCS...
In General
Almost a year ago to the day I was inaugurated into the role of ADCS President...
In General
Last week I had the great privilege of delivering my inaugural speech as ADCS...
In General
During last week’s 2020 ADCS annual conference, colleagues discussed options...
In Workforce
As I returned to work after the Easter break and with daffodils, Easter eggs and...
In Health
So, writing this in the middle of August makes me think that in many ways this...
In General
This is my first blog since I took over from Alison Michalska as President of...
In General
Every child deserves a happy, safe childhood and has a right to the best...
In General
The National Children and Adult Services Conference 2017 opened on Wednesday 11...
In General
I can’t have been the only Director of Children’s Services who was saddened...
In Leadership
In my spare time, when I’m not doing the occasional bit of gardening,...
In General
Since becoming a Director of Children’s Services in May 2010, I’ve never...
In General
This week marks my first as ADCS President. It promises to be an interesting and...