Putting collaboration on the agenda

We have a strong history of collaboration in Yorkshire and Humber and I've plenty of cause to reflect on this; at the time of writing this blog, I'm preparing for this week's regional meeting where DCSs (or their representatives) from the 15 local authorities in Yorkshire and Humber come together, along with a representative of Doncaster Children's Services Trust, to support and challenge one another in our collective endeavour to deliver better outcomes for children and young people in the region.

The agenda has just three key topics for discussion; leadership development; sector-led improvement; and Children's Social Work Matters.

For the discussion on leadership development we will be joined by Jo Davidson, Principal of the Staff College. We share a concern, indeed a deep anxiety, about succession planning and strongly support the call for a national development offer. A dwindling number of us in Yorkshire and Humber benefited from the DCS leadership development programme that Jo referred to in her recent blog. As systems leaders operating in turbulent times, we have a continuous need for experience, skills and knowledge development.