Comment on research exploring the factors contributing to DCS...

Rachael Wardell, Chair of the ADCS Workforce Development Policy Committee, said:

“Directors of children’s services are system leaders and champions for children. We fulfil a very wide range of duties and responsibilities laid out in statute and are the critical single point of accountability for children in our local areas. The government’s response to the Care Review commits to a review of the role of the DCS, providing the chance to strengthen the role and improve understanding and support for it. There are a variety of routes to being appointed to this position and no one comes into the role knowing everything they need to know. What matters most to a person’s ability to do the job is having a strategic vision for, and relentless focus on, securing the very best outcomes for children, alongside a senior leadership team who bring the necessary expertise. Those of us doing the job are aware of the huge responsibility it brings, and the opportunities it provides to make a difference to children and their families.

“There are a number of important messages in this report, including for central government departments in terms of the workload burdens that they themselves are generating and the need for a joined up national policy focus on children. ADCS has long called for a clear vision for children and plan for childhood backed by a cross government commitment and funding from the Treasury to enable all children to thrive. The report emphasises the value of coaching and mentoring support for DCSs in the early stages of the role and ongoing support via regional ADCS networks which I too benefit from. I’m sure all local authorities would like to make more time and space for shadowing, and similar opportunities, to support aspiring leaders to experience the DCS role, but the financial and workforce pressures we currently face make this challenging.

“It is vital that we are encouraging and developing new leaders for the future. Our own data shows excellent succession planning in practice, nearly all permanent DCS appointments in 2021/2022 were assistant director/second tier level stepping up into the role. Local authorities are working hard to recruit a workforce to reflect the communities we serve; this is important in direct work with children and at a senior level. We do not have enough directors from Black or minoritised backgrounds across the country, and there is more work to do on this. Diversity and inclusion, in all its forms, continues to be a focus for all local authorities, and for the Association.”

ENDS

---

---