Back Page: My Week - Flying the flag in the face of failed boilers

This is the first full week back and my diary is as ridiculous as ever, but at least it is based more in Hampshire than London. And this January heralds the last lap of my 18-month "year" as joint president of the Association of Directors of Children's Services (ADCS). It's been a fascinating privilege to help start the new association. But it's been a long slog.

TUESDAY: There is so much variety in this job. The day ranges from an employment tribunal to the Safeguarding Board, a session with auditors and - because it's January - a failed boiler has shut down a school. Hampshire has 540 self-governing schools and there are excellent relationships between them and the department. But there is nothing like a failed boiler to test relationships.

WEDNESDAY: A corporate day. Such is the size of this enterprise that our children's senior management forum is about 90-strong. Each member carries a huge individual responsibility and there's a marvellous range of skill, experience and intelligence. We've made real progress in implementing Every Child Matters alongside the commitment to school standards. But we all know there is much to be done to achieve genuine integration.

I spend the afternoon with the corporate management team. We have a new chief executive who has put children and young people at the top of his agenda. He is also an ex-professional footballer who played with 70s Birmingham legend Kenny Burns. I wonder if he gives autographs.

THURSDAY AND FRIDAY: The boiler's fixed! Radio 4 wants an interview on child protection. We say yes - such interviews carry risks but we're on a mission to explain. Then to London for a 24-hour session with the Department for Children, Schools and Families and partners about the Children's Plan. Ed Balls introduces. The event is excellent with a great sense of opportunity and shared commitment. My co-president John Freeman and directors Maggie Atkinson and Graham Badman fly the ADCS flag. It's inspiring stuff and I want to be president forever. Probably not such a good idea.

And then home. A typical week in its variety but a poor one insofar as there has been no direct contact with children or young people. But there are two at home to remind me what it's all about.

- John Coughlan is joint president of the Association of Directors of Children's Services and director of children's services at Hampshire County Council.