Council appoints new Executive Director of Children’s and Family Services
Telford & Wrekin Council has appointed Jo Britton as its new Executive Director of Children’s and Family Services.
Jo will take up the post working alongside current postholder Clive Jones who has taken the decision to retire after 45 years’ local government service (30 of these in Telford).
Telford & Wrekin Council’s children’s services were judged to be outstanding by Ofsted earlier this year, making the authority only the second in the country to go from requires improvement to outstanding.
Jo Britton will make the step up from her current post of Director of Children’s Safeguarding and Family Support, a post she has held since October 2015.
Jo has a total of 28 years’ experience working at all levels with Children and Young People’s Services, having previously worked at Wolverhampton City Council, Staffordshire County Council and Cafcass.
Council leader Councillor Shaun Davies said: “This is an excellent appointment, Jo has played a significant role in improving children’s service to some of our most vulnerable children, young people and parents since 2015.
“I look forward to working with Jo to deliver some of our programme to protect care and invest to create a better borough.”
Council chief executive David Sidaway said: “I am delighted we have appointed Jo Britton to this critical post and I am confident that Jo will continue the excellent progress that we have made over the last few years.
“Being judged outstanding by Ofsted puts us in the top performing councils in the country, something that we are all incredibly proud of. I am looking forward to working with Jo on a number of exciting plans for making further improvements to Children’s and Family Services.
“I would also like to thank Clive Jones for his dedication, leadership and guidance in developing and delivering excellent services, through some very challenging times and wish him a long and happy retirement when he leaves the council later in the year “
Clive Jones has agreed to co-operate fully with the ongoing Independent Inquiry into Telford Child Sexual Exploitation (IITCSE) chaired by Tom Crowther QC following his retirement.
Telford & Wrekin Council will now recruit to replace Jo as Director: Children’s Safeguarding and Family Support.
The council will also recruit a new Director of Education and Skills to replace Heather Loveridge, who also retires later in the year.
