Debbie Jones, who became president of the Association of Directors of Children’s Services (ADCS) on 1 April, admits she is taking up the role at a "particularly challenging" time, but argues that local authorities have an unprecedented chance to shape their future.
"We’re seeing massive reductions in resources," she explains. "But there is a shift towards local flexibility, reducing bureaucracy and giving autonomy to the frontline, so we need to use the professional freedoms to shape national policy to suit local circumstance."
Jones is director of children’s services at the London Borough of Lambeth, having previously held the post in Luton, Durham and Stoke-on-Trent. She believes that ADCS members, alongside local partners, can come up with the "imaginative solutions" required to tailor policy to children and young people’s needs.
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