News Insight: This is the age of the super-director

Local authority directors of children's services (DCSs) are facing a tough year. As if taking on the responsibility for 14-19 education and dealing with a new inspection system were not challenging enough, their departments are coming under heightened scrutiny following the tragic case of Baby P.

Putting aside her handling of the case, the sacking of Sharon Shoesmith, Haringey's director of children's services, drew national attention to the demands of the role.

The government responded to these pressures last month by launching a leadership programme for directors alongside its 2020 children and young people's workforce strategy.

It will be led by the Association of Directors of Children's Services (ADCS), in partnership with the Children's Workforce Development Council and the National College for School Leadership (NCSL).

Areas that are set to be covered include managing large teams, developing partnerships and analysing area-wide data.

Step back and learn

Edwina Grant, director of children, family and learning at Central Bedfordshire Council, says the opportunity for DCSs to take a break and look at what their counterparts are doing is as important as the course content itself.

"DCSs do not have much opportunity to step back, reflect and learn from other councils. This offers a real chance to do that," she says.

The programme is set to build on work already under way by the ADCS through its virtual staff college initiative, which offers courses and conferences focusing on directors' training.

Marion Davis is the chair of the ADCS's standards, performance and inspection policy committee, as well as director of children, young people and families at Warwickshire County Council. She says that with good structures in place and reliable deputies to delegate tasks to, the role of director is workable, despite the enormous responsibility involved.

"Another important area is for directors to ensure that they are visible to frontline staff. For example, in Warwickshire I try to spend time at schools and with teams as much as is possible. It is important I remain in touch," she says.

Caroline Abrahams, the Local Government Association's children and young people programme director, wants to see further support, including mentoring, especially for new DCSs and those with aspirations of taking the role.

Increased responsibility next year in taking over control of 14-19 education may also help, she adds. "The emphasis here is for councils to work together. This hopefully will give directors more chance to meet up, learn from each other and see how others are running things," Abrahams says.

DCSs have a tricky task balancing their education and social care responsibilities. This can be difficult for directors whose experience is largely from one discipline. Shoesmith, like many other DCSs, had a background in education. Her replacement Peter Lewis has worked previously in both teaching and social work.

The challenge for leadership training is to enable professionals from both backgrounds to succeed, as well as preparing the next generation of leaders.

This is why, alongside the leadership programme for directors, the NCSL will chair a group responsible for developing proposals for more coherent support for all senior and middle managers with children's services.

Needs and potential

"This will take into account the needs and potential of all leaders and managers in the children and young people's workforce, including the voluntary, community and private sectors," says Steve Munby, chief executive of NCSL.

"I'm looking forward to working with outstanding leaders within senior children's services to develop the next generation of great leaders," he adds.

Meanwhile, John Chowcat, general secretary of children's services union Aspect, believes another trend in the sector, the growing enthusiasm for social pedagogy, will also bolster faith in the role of director of children's services.

Social pedagogues, who are experts in health, social care and education, are commonplace in Northern Europe and are being introduced here, with Essex Council a notable pioneer.

"Having these pedagogues in the sector means the future is bright for the role of director," says Chowcat. "In time, they will hopefully take up director roles themselves. This will help to end the debate about whether a director is only an education or a social care person."

DIRECTORS OF CHILDREN'S SERVICES: 2009 CHALLENGES

• As part of the government's 14-19 education reforms, children's services directorates will take over the responsibility for around £7bn worth of funding for higher education
• Council inspections are being overhauled, with the Audit Commission and six other inspectorates, including Ofsted, carrying out the new Comprehensive Area Assessment from April. This assesses individual organisations, as well as how well they work together with others in their area
• In light of the Baby P case, children's services are under scrutiny. Ofsted will make unannounced annual inspection visits of councils in England to examine safeguarding procedures. Children's Secretary Ed Balls has asked all councils to review their safeguarding procedures. Other plans include banning children's services directors from chairing local safeguarding boards