About Us

ADCS is a membership organisation. Our members hold leadership roles in children’s services departments in local authorities in England. They specialise in developing, commissioning and leading the delivery of services to children, young people and their families, including education, health, youth, early years and social care services. Working in partnership with other agencies our members work to achieve tailored and joined-up services for children, whatever their identified needs.

Our Values

ADCS and its members are committed to:

  • A national framework for children’s services with clear lines of accountability and responsibility
  • Local delivery of children’s services, accountable to local communities through the democratic process
  • The promotion of research, innovation and learning across children’s services
  • The promotion of equality and diversity in service delivery and in the children’s workforce
  • Securing adequate and equitable funding to deliver and support the work of children’s services in every local authority
  • Promoting improved outcomes for all children, young people and their families and carers so that they are healthy and safe, can enjoy and achieve in their education, make a positive contribution to society and achieve economic well-being.

What We Do

The Association is led by its members in all areas of policy and practice. Through the contributions of its members, ADCS provides the collective voice of professionals in children’s services leadership roles on policy, practice and resourcing of the wide variety of services available to children, young people and their families.

Within local government, ADCS is the professional contact point for children’s services issues with central government. The Association works closely with ministers, government officials, the community and voluntary sectors, local government organisations and other professional bodies on designing and delivering integrated services for children and young people.

ADCS’s work is undertaken through a comprehensive policy committee structure that spans the full remit of the statutory director of children’s services and through a welcoming regional branch structure. Through its national network of expert professional leaders, ADCS provides invaluable support and advice to colleagues.

Council of Reference

The principal purpose of the Council of Reference is to act as a consultative body, advising the Board of Directors as required, on behalf of the wider membership.

Membership of the Council of Reference is constituted as follows:

  • The ADCS Board of Directors - including the five Honorary Officers of the Association (President, Vice President, Honorary Secretary, Honorary Treasurer and Immediate Past President)
  • The Chairs of each of the Association’s Policy Committees
  • The Chair of the Association’s Research Group
  • The Chair of the ADCS Associates Network and
  • Representatives from the regions – either two, three or four depending on the number of local authorities in the region.

Further information regarding how the Association operates can be found in the The ADCS Ltd Memorandum and Articles of Association.

Presidents

The President of the Association for 2023/24 is John Pearce, Corporate Director of Children and Young People. Durham County Council

Past Presidents:

2022-23: Steve Crocker, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight

2021-22: Charlotte Ramsden, Salford City Council

2020-21:Jenny Coles, Hertfordshire County Council.

2019-20: Rachel Dickinson, Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council

2018-19: Stuart Gallimore, East Sussex County Council

2017-18: Alison Michalska, Nottingham City Council

2016-17: Dave Hill, Essex County Council

2015-16: Alison O’Sullivan, Kirklees Council

2014-15: Alan Wood, Hackney Council

2013-14: Andrew Webb, Stockport Council

2012-13: Debbie Jones, Lambeth Council

2011-12: Matt Dunkley, East Sussex County Council

2010-11: Marion Davis, Warwickshire County Council

2009-10: Kim Bromley-Derry, Newham Council

2008-09: Maggie Atkinson, Gateshead Council

2007-08: John Coughlan, Hampshire County Council and John Freeman, Dudley Council.