A former ADCS president has been appointed to chair the new Residential Care Leadership Board.
Children’s minister Robert Goodwill announced that former President of the Association of Directors of Children’s Services Alan Wood would take forward the recommendations made in Martin Narey’s review of residential care in 2015.
Robert Goodwill, Minister for Children and Families, said: “Children living in care have often experienced traumatic situations. These children can be some of the most vulnerable in the country and we are committed to doing all that we can to give them the best possible care and support.
“I am pleased that Alan has been appointed to this role, and I look forward to working closely with him to make our residential care system the best it can be,” he added.
Martin Narey recommended the establishment of the Residential Care Leadership Board following his review, which found that “residential care is misunderstood and is often seen as a place of last resort”.
The Board will take forward the recommendations in Sir Martin Narey’s report. They include making improvements to the commissioning of places, engaging with the wider sector to support the development of new approaches, and ensuring learning and best practice is shared and implemented.
Alan Wood, Chair of the Residential Care Leadership Board, said: “We have some excellent residential care for our children but nationally our system needs to be able to provide flexibly for a wider range of need. All local authorities and providers have a vital role to play in ensuring provision matches needs and resources are used most effectively.
“The RCLB will work to build a strong partnership across the sector focusing on developing its range, promoting improvement where it is needed and celebrating its successes,” he added.
As well as being a former ADCS president, Alan Wood has also worked as a children’s services commissioner in Doncaster and Tower Hamlets. In 2016 he conducted a review of multi-agency arrangements for child protection.
He was selected for the role following an open and transparent recruitment process, overseen by the office of The Commissioner for Public Appointments.
Residential Care in England report
