Director of Tameside's 'inadequate' children's services department quits

The head of Tameside's failing children's services department has quit.

Allison Parkinson was only appointed as director of the department 12 months ago.

She was given the top job after performing a similar role in Luton and in response to an Ofsted inspection which rated children's services as 'inadequate'.

But now, as Tameside awaits the findings of a report by the Children's Commissioner, a letter from chief executive Sandra Stewart which has been seen by the Reporter reveals she has decided to quit.

The letter says: "Our interim director of children's services Alli Parkinson has decided that now is the right time to move on from her role as we move into the next stage of our improvement journey, having put the necessary processes and governance in place including a social work academy to enable the right environment for the success of Children's.

"Since joining us in August 2023, Alli has been an important part of our children's services improvement process and has led and supported the service whilst our children's commissioner has been undertaking his diagnostic into the capability and capacity of the council to improve.

"i would like to thank Alli for her hard work and dedication as the director of children's services and her commitment to improving outcomes for our children and families during her time at the council."

The letter also reveals the council aims to find a replacement within three months.

The findings of the children's commissioner's report to the Government will be made public during the week beginning September 9.

Ms Stewart's letter continues: "We have agreed with the commissioner that we will be going out immediately to national advert for the director of children's services together with a number of key leadership posts including the assistant director of education."

Earlier this month Cllr Bill Fairfoull was replaced as the council's executive board member for children's services by Cllr Teresa Smith.

And in July, an investigation by the Reporter revealed social workers were leaving the service in their droves, citing disagreements with the director and vulnerable children were being put at risk.

In one incident, a teenage boy was intercepted by children's services on his way to school in Denton and was taken to a care home 250 miles away in Reading, Berkshire.

In a letter to colleagues Ms Parkinson said: "With careful consideration to my future plans , I have decided now is the right time for me to hand the baton on.

"It has been an absolute privilege to have had the opportunity to be director of children's services, I am proud of all we have achieved together.

"We have achieved so much together already, I know you will all build on the foundations we have set, holding children at the hert of everything we do."

Meanwhile, posters on Tameside People's Assembly Facebook page, run by parents, carers and professionals, some of whom work with the local authority, called for the chief executive herself to be removed.

They said the announcement 'begs the question, has Tameside Council received news of the outcome of the commissioner's report'.

The post continued: "Is this a way of our CEO pre-empting any bad press around that?

"What is certainly very concerning is that Sandra Stewart now takes on yet another role to add to her many conflicting responsibilities.

"When will our councillors do the right thing? How many lives and careers are going to be destroyed before they do?"

A council spokesperson said: "

“We remain focused on improving the outcomes for our vulnerable children and families, supporting our colleagues and continuing to work closely with our partners to deliver the best possible service for Children and Young People.

“We acknowledge that these changes may be unsettling for our workforce and partners.  However, we are keen to create a permanent and stable workforce, to protect and safeguard children and support children and families to achieve their best”.