CYP Now - Number of ‘twin-hat’ children’s services leaders at 12-year low

The number of “twin-hat” directors, who hold statutory responsibility for both children’s and adult social services at the same local authority, has fallen to its lowest in 12 years, according to latest figures.

Steve Crocker is president of the ADCS. Picture: ADCS

The Association of Directors of Children’s Services’ (ADCS) annual directors of children’s services (DCS) update, shows that there were 22 “twin-hatters” across all 152 English local authorities on 31 March 2022.

The number of directors holding dual roles has been in decline since its peak in 2015 when 61 DCSs held responsibility for adult and children’s social care, the report states.

In 2021/22, five councils opted to disaggregate the two roles while just one opted to combine them.

In 2012, 17 councils combined roles and just eight disaggregated them.

Regionally, the report shows a “notable” decline in the number of “twin-hatters” with just the East Midlands showing a slight increase in the number of directors with dual statutory duties.

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