How I Got Here: Steve Reddy
Steve Reddy
Tuesday, February 26, 2019
The director of children's services at Liverpool City Council on his career.
Early career in criminal intelligence
My early career was focused around criminal psychology and crime reduction. After graduating with a BSc in psychology at Manchester Metropolitan University, in 1996 I studied for a master's degree in investigative psychology at the University of Liverpool. This was quite a unique course taking just 10 students per year from mainly psychology and law enforcement backgrounds and was focused around offender profiling work.
After a year as a researcher and tutor, I joined Lancashire Constabulary in 1998 as a criminal intelligence analyst. I then moved to Merseyside Police (2000 to 2005), fulfilling a variety of roles, ultimately as head of strategic analysis.
I very much enjoyed working for the police but felt it was limited in terms of progression and career structure.
The move into adult social care
In 2000, I joined the senior management team of Liverpool City Council. I recall then chief constable of Merseyside Police, Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe, saying he respected my decision to move but was thinking about ordering me a mental health assessment.
I must recognise a few colleagues here particularly the adult services director at the time Tony Hunter, who to be honest did take a calculated risk appointing me. Also, Joe Blott, then assistant director for adults, who taught me a great deal, as did Jonny Keville, adults divisional manager, who is still at Liverpool.
In early 2010, I was appointed interim assistant director for adult social care in Liverpool before moving to a permanent role as assistant director in Warrington in August 2010.
In 2014, I was appointed executive director for families and wellbeing in Warrington, which included the statutory roles of children's director and adults director. I quickly found much of my time devoted to the children's agenda and realised that while I had "progressed" in my career in previous roles and organisations it was this area that really motivated me again.
I learned a lot from many of the team at Warrington including the chief executive Steven Broomhead and was really pleased to be given the additional responsibility of deputy chief executive in early 2017.
I really enjoyed working in Warrington, it's a great town and the people and communities were great to work with, as were all the officers in the council and partner agencies.
Heading back to Liverpool
When the Liverpool director of children's services vacancy was advertised I couldn't resist applying. I was increasingly feeling the need to do a role focused on children and young people but equally my love for this amazing city was a pull.
I have just finished my first year back and it does feel like I have done two years' work. In that time among other things we have been peer reviewed and had an Ofsted inspection. A common feature of both is the feedback about how motivated our staff are and how committed they are to do the best for children and families.
We have a lot of work to do but I am confident, given the support we have from politicians, wider council teams and partners, that we can deliver outstanding work.