TAMESIDE Council’s ‘inadequate’ children’s services department is to get a new interim boss.
After a withering report by government-appointed commissioner Andy Couldrick, who will remain working with the authority for three years, the hunt is on for a new director.
And as they hope to have a permanent one appointed by early November – although it is not yet known when they will be able to begin – Dr Catherine Driscoll will start on Thursday, October 10.
Previously chief executive of Worcester Children’s First, she was most recently director of children’s services at Dudley Council.
Even though she is interim, she will be to continue to drive the council’s improvement work that has started following the report, which came on the back of an inadequate rating by Ofsted.
In an email to staff, Tameside Council’s chief executive Sandra Stewart- who remains in position – said: “Catherine is committed to being a visible leader and meeting with all her colleagues and partners and is very keen to help Tameside achieve the improvements needed.
“Given the significant challenges that we face and following discussion with the commissioner, we have determined that whilst we make a permanent appointment to the director of children’s services role, it is necessary and appropriate to engage a suitable experienced interim.
“Catherine is a highly experienced DCS, who has great knowledge and experience across the whole spectrum of children’s services, including SEND.
“As you will be aware, the children’s commissioner published his report in September following a diagnostic period establishing whether the Council had the capability and capacity to improve children’s services.
“This report outlined a range of challenges that we face and made a number of recommendations that we are currently putting into a detailed action plan.
“The report did indicate that we also have some strengths but it is clear we need the additional support and have been provided with a commissioner and strategic partner.
“We are committed to creating the stability needed to progress, including more political and corporate support and challenge.
“We are also working further and harder to create a more permanent workforce.
“Recruitment and retention of social workers remains a significant challenge, but we are taking steps to address this including looking to reduce the reliance on agency social workers with a focussed effort on the conversion of agency staff to permanent employees, which will be further supported by the recent introduction of our Social Work Academy.
“We have dedicated and experienced staff who continue to work hard to deliver the improvements needed.”