Telford & Wrekin Council appoints Director of Children and Family Services
Telford & Wrekin Council has appointed Laura Johnston as its permanent Director of Children and Family Services as another key part of an ongoing senior management review.
Laura Johnston has been working as the council’s Interim Director of Children Services during the implementation of a new management structure at the top of the council.
This process means that the number of senior managers at the council has more than halved by 55 per cent from 28 to 13 since 2009.
This appointment will bring the council into line with one of the key recommendations of the government’s Munro Review of Child Protection in the wake of high profile abuse cases including the death of Baby P.
Councillor Paul Watling, Telford & Wrekin Council’s cabinet member for Children, Young People and Families, said: “We made a commitment very early on that the welfare of the borough’s children was a top priority and we refuse to put a price on the safety of our children.
“We advertised across the country for this post and put prospective candidates through extremely rigorous assessment and interview processes.
“Laura came through this process as an outstanding candidate and we are delighted to appoint her for this very important position – which is a post we are required to have by law under the 2004 Children Act.
“Safeguarding our young is a key issue for us and I am delighted that we have been able to make what I feel is an excellent appointment. Laura and the team have already made a major contribution to the safety and well-being and children and young people in Telford and Wrekin.”
Council leader and Personnel Board chairman Kuldip Sahota said: “I would like to congratulate Laura on her appointment to what is a very important post for the council.
“We have made major reductions in the number and cost of senior managers and now have a streamlined and efficient structure running the council with 33 per cent less back office costs. All this has been achieved with no significant reduction in the delivery of frontline services.”
Laura started her career as a social worker in south Telford, serving communities from the Madeley and Dawley children’s services teams.
She then continued to develop her social work career in children’s services at Shropshire County Council.
From 2005, Laura led on the development of multi agency teams delivering early intervention and support for needy families in Shropshire, before returning to Telford in early 2009.
