Of 21 permanent postholders appointed during the year, all but two were assistant directors promoted from the same council or another local authority. “It’s good to see succession planning bearing fruit,” says ADCS president Andy Smith. There was a decline in “twin hat” roles covering children’s and adult services to just 13.
The ADCS’s annual survey of DCSs and children’s trust chief executives continues to show a lack of diversity in leadership. Of 115 leaders who responded to the 2023 survey, 103 identified as white, five as multiple or mixed ethnicity, four as Asian and two as black.
Leadership programmes
The DfE-backed Upon scheme offers leadership training to new and aspiring DCSs delivered by The Staff College, Oxford Brookes University’s Institute of Public Care (IPC), Skills for Care and public services firm GatenbySanderson.
The Staff College programmes for children’s services leaders include its Black and Asian Leadership Initiative. This three-day programme for up to 25 participants in 2024, includes sessions on tackling racism. The Staff College also runs a one-day Inspiring Women into Leadership course for those looking to move into a leadership role and a two-day Women in Leadership residential programme. Children’s services leaders can also access its Associate Coaching and Mentoring Pool, where experienced leaders offer individual and group coaching.
The National Development Team for Inclusion and The Staff College run a Leading Change in SEND/AP programme for special educational needs and alternative provision leaders. Sessions take place this autumn and winter and include a two-day residential.
IPC runs an online course for children’s services commissioners. It comprises a series of half-day sessions in October and November and involves independent study. Optional accreditation based on a work-based commissioning project is available to gain a postgraduate certificate in commissioning and purchasing worth 20 master’s-level transferrable credits.
Councillors
The Local Government Association runs a course for councillors with a children’s services role. The two-day course runs during autumn 2024 in Coventry and involves guest speakers and networking opportunities.
