DCS changes at lowest level in a decade, analysis shows
Fiona Simpson
Friday, April 30, 2021
Changes in leadership roles across England’s local authority children services departments was at its lowest in a decade over the last year, new research shows.
According to latest analysis by the Association of Directors of Children’s Services (ADCS), there were just 39 changes of director of children’s services (DCS) in 2020/21 across all 151 local authorities.
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The changes took place across 34 councils, meaning that more than three-quarters of local authorities (77 per cent) have not experienced a change in DCS post holder across the reporting period.
The ADCS says this marks a “significant decrease” on previous years, adding that the 39 changes seen over the reporting period is "the fewest number of changes since 2011/12".
There were 57 changes in total in 2019/20 and 51 in 2018/19, it adds.
The average number of changes in 47.
Of the 39 changes, there were just 12 new permanent DCS appointments – the fewest number of such appointments since ADCS was formed in 2007 - nine were from assistant director/second tier level from within the same local authority and three were from assistant director/second tier level from another council, the analysis shows. There were also 17 interim appointments made and one current vacancy available.
“The number of interim appointments has remained relatively consistent over recent years," the report states. "The majority have been short-term appointments pending a permanent appointment being made and have been filled, in the main, by former substantive DCSs or assistant director/second tier level officers.”
It also adds that as of 31 March, there were 26 “twin hat” post holders with responsibility for children’s and adult’s social care - the lowest number since 2010.
Charlotte Ramsden, ADCS president, said: “Consistent and stable leadership is important for any organisation and this is especially true in our world of children’s services. The data in this report is very encouraging as the total number of DCS changes over the past year is significantly lower compared to previous years.
“It is vital that we are able to bring through new leaders for the future and succession planning is central to this. Over the past year there were 12 DCS new permanent appointments, all of whom were from assistant director/second tier level from either the same authority or from another. Encouraging new leaders to come forward and supporting their development is key and I am delighted to see succession planning in action working so well.”
Some 60 per cent of current DCSs are female, the report states.
It also reveals that 80 per cent of DCSs identify as white British; five per cent as white Irish; eight per cent as ‘other’ white; one per cent as other; one per cent as black African; one per cent as black Caribbean and three per cent as white and Asian. One DCS preferred not to state their ethnicity, the report states.
Ramsden added: “There are unfortunately not enough black and minority ethnic directors across the country. The DCS role is one of the best in local government and although ethnicity, gender or disability is irrelevant to a person’s capability to do the job, it is important that our workforce reflect our local communities.”