Birmingham City Council's Tony Howell announces retirement
Joe Lepper
Friday, July 9, 2010
Birmingham City Council is on the hunt for a senior manager to lead its troubled children's services department following the announcement that Tony Howell, strategic director for children, young people and families, is to retire.
Howell, who joined the council in 2002, is to stay in his post until next January when it is hoped the council will have recruited a replacement.
His successor’s priority will be to attempt to turn around the fortunes of the beleaguered department, which was issued with an improvement notice last year due to the poor performance of its children’s social work team and safeguarding services.
Earlier this year, the council sacked six social workers for failing to do their jobs properly.
Birmingham City Council chief executive Stephen Hughes said: "We have recognised the aspects of children’s social care needing attention and are totally committed to improving them.
"The search now begins to find someone to continue our improvement drive across the whole of children’s services."
His successor’s priority will be to attempt to turn around the fortunes of the beleaguered department, which was issued with an improvement notice last year due to the poor performance of its children’s social work team and safeguarding services.
Earlier this year, the council sacked six social workers for failing to do their jobs properly.
Birmingham City Council chief executive Stephen Hughes said: "We have recognised the aspects of children’s social care needing attention and are totally committed to improving them.
"The search now begins to find someone to continue our improvement drive across the whole of children’s services."
