Issue - meetings

Nikki Edwards, Executive Director, People, will give a verbal update on departmental changes in the Council affecting services for Children and Young People.

Rachel Morgan, Assistant Director: Education & Learning and Sonia Johnson, Assistant Director: Children’s Social Care updated members on changes in the People’s Directorate as part of the transformation project..

·         The two posts coloured blue on the slide related to Rachel Morgan’s post Assistant Director: Education and Learning and Sonia Johnson’s post Director: Children’s Social Care. Both were permanent appointments.

·         The two posts coloured peach on the slide straddled Adults and Children functions.

·         Hannah Doherty had been appointed Head of Welfare and Housing on an interim basis and a permanent person would begin in April.

·         Thom Wilson had been appointed Assistant Director: Commissioning permanently.

·         Sarah Gee had been appointed Assistant Director: Early Help and Communities permanently.

·         Melanie O’Rourke had been appointed Assistant Director: Adult Social Care permanently.

In relation to education Rachel Morgan explained they were continuing with the Head of Service restructure and some posts would be advertised externally. They were also recruiting a Business Relationship Manager to work with schools on Service Level Agreements (SLAs) which the Council was establishing from April 2019.

These were all new roles and part of the restructure.

In relation to Children’s Social Care Sonia Johnson explained four service areas had been merged into three and three senior posts had been created. The Head of Permanence post was now the Head of Life Chances.

Rachel Morgan explained some roles sat under different posts now. For example, the Assistant Director: Early Help and Communities would be responsible for early help hubs; children centres and education welfare officers so there was some cross-over and an expectation teams would work together. Rachel Morgan agreed to update the slide and send to Louise Connelly for publication.

Cllr Gill Birch requested an updated version with names be circulated at the March meeting.

Actions:

·         Rachel Morgan to update departmental slide and send to Louise Connelly.

·         Louise Connelly, Governance & Scrutiny Co-ordinator, to publish departmental slide.

·         Rachel Morgan/Nikki Edwards to circulate updated version at next meeting, including named individuals.