ADCS president dismisses 'links' with government

Alan Wood, director of children’s services in Hackney, said there had been opposition to his appointment to oversee the transfer of child protection services in Doncaster to an independent trust, while he was vice president of the ADCS.

But, speaking to CYP Now, Wood said it is better for the organisation to be “involved in things” rather than not.

“I think it is our duty to work with what is there to try and influence it and shape it and if we don’t think it is right, to make it better,” Wood, who has taken over as ADCS president from Andrew Webb, said.

“I think that’s much more effective, much more impressive, much more valuable to children, young people and families, than a position which withdraws and says ‘it’s all wrong’.

He adds that any suggestion that he is too “close” to government to be ADCS president is “ill-informed and foolish”.

“Our people [within the ADCS], and I believe I’m entitled to include myself in this, are fearless in saying what we think,” he said.

“If you look at my track record I’m willing to stand on the outside and take a position that is criticised but be prepared to defend it.

“What I’m not prepared to do is take a position that sounds good, but I don’t believe in it."

“But we are not reckless, we are not destructive.

“We don’t set up a situation where the focus is on the disagreement we may or may not have with government rather than how we improve the situation.”

Just last week Wood was earmarked by children’s minister Edward Timpson to be part of a study team, led by Julian Le Grand, to look at developing capacity for delivering children’s services outside of local authorities.