Peter Robertson, chief executive of Hampshire County Council, said local authorities should be free to decide for themselves whether to recruit a director. The government says all councils must do so by 2008.
"That requirement is a mistake," he said. "At Hampshire we can develop arrangements that meet the requirements for accountability that are contained in the Bill without one."
Roberston's comments came after the council announced that it was establishing a children's services board to oversee the implementation of the Bill in the county.
He said that the board would adopt a multi-agency approach, involving 30 organisations in Hampshire, but giving one person overall control "could upset the balance".
Register Now to Continue Reading
Thank you for visiting Children & Young People Now and making use of our archive of more than 60,000 expert features, topics hubs, case studies and policy updates. Why not register today and enjoy the following great benefits:
What's Included
-
Free access to 4 subscriber-only articles per month
-
Email newsletter providing advice and guidance across the sector
Already have an account? Sign in here