CYP Now - Working in the South East: Interview - Bill Anderson, director ofchildren's social services, Kent CC

Bill Anderson, the director of children's social services at Kent County Council, is under no illusions about the job in hand. In fact, he's rather keen to disabuse people of their illusions. "Most people think of Kent as oast houses that flash by on the way to the Channel Tunnel but actually it's the most diverse place I've ever worked in," he says.

With 18 years' service at the council under his belt, Anderson speaksfrom experience. He points to a county of contrasts, from affluentTunbridge Wells to ethnically mixed Gravesend to Thanet, which is rankedas the most deprived district in Kent, and the sixtieth most deprived inEngland, according to the Government's indices of deprivation.

"The image of Kent is very different to its actuality," says Anderson."For instance, Thanet has the highest level of looked-after childrenanywhere in the country, because other authorities place childrenthere," he points out. "And Maidstone has the highest teenage pregnancyrate in England. We're also a gateway authority for asylum seekers, andwe have hundreds of young unaccompanied minors coming throughDover."

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