Andrew Christie appointed Birmingham children's social care commissioner

Christie has been handed responsibility by the Department for Education for ensuring Birmingham Council delivers the government-approved three-year improvement plan for its struggling children's services department.

He takes over as commissioner from Lord Norman Warner, who the DfE appointed in April 2014 after an Ofsted inspection judged Birmingham's children's services "inadequate" for a second time in two years. Warner's contract ended in May.

Christie, current chair of the Association of Directors of Children’s Services health, care and additional needs policy committee, also oversaw the merger of children's services functions in the London boroughs of Westminster, Hammersmith and Fulham, and Kensington and Chelsea in 2011.
 
Earlier this week, the Tri-borough councils were praised by children’s minister Edward Timpson in a letter for overseeing “a complete redesign of children’s social care from top to bottom, so professionals can spend more time with children and families”.
 
It has also been confirmed by the DfE that Essex County Council children’s services is currently Birmingham children’s services' improvement partner.

A DfE spokesperson said: "We have today announced the appointment of Andrew Christie as the new commissioner for children’s services, who will provide recommendations on how to secure and sustain the necessary improvements in children’s services. 

"We will continue to work closely with the council to ensure every child in Birmingham receives the excellent standard of care they need.”
 
Brigid Jones, cabinet member for children’s services at Birmingham City Council said: “I look forward to working with Andrew Christie; as someone with a long and distinguished background in children’s services he will be able to provide us with strategic advice and guidance as well as assurance.
 
“We are well into the second year of our three-year improvement plan and we have achieved, or have in progress, all aspects of the plan.”

Christie will carry out his commissioner's job for two to three days a month and is due to retire as Tri-borough DCS in April 2016, allowing him to devote more time to Birmingham.

His term of office will last until September 2016, in which he will advise the DfE on the council's ability to continue improving.

Elizabeth Campbell, lead member for children and families at the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea said his retirement "is a big blow" to the council, "but it is good news that his skills and experience are not to be lost and that others will now benefit from his steady hand and good sense.”

"I have absolutely no doubt that his impeccable track record in children and young people’s services and the passion he has demonstrated throughout will make a real difference to the lives of children in Birmingham, and I wish him all the best," she said.