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A new era in the way Herefordshire Council looks after children in the County has begun after Cllr Don Rule, Cabinet Member (Education), was appointed the interim Cabinet Member responsible for Children’s Services.
It marks the first step towards a fully-fledged Children’s Directorate at the Council.
The new Directorate will combine responsibilities which currently lie under the Education Directorate and those which lie under the Children’s division of the Social Care Directorate.
The moves have been brought about as a result of the Children’s Bill, which will impact on all Councils.
It required a change to Herefordshire Council’s constitution to allow the new Cabinet post to be created.
Cabinet agreed to the changes when it met on Thursday last week, October 21.
“These are very exciting times and the creation of this new post means a safer and more secure environment for the County’s children,” said Cllr Don Rule.
“The priorities of the new Directorate will be to ensure that firstly, our children are healthy and happy.
“Next we will ensure that they have real opportunity to achieve their full potential; they must have the prospect of living in a safe and secure community; they must be able to contribute to and fully participate in, their local community.
“They must receive appropriate support throughout their childhood and have access to excellent integrated public services.
“Finally, we want to ensure that there is an end to child poverty, child deprivation and social exclusion.”
Cllr Rule added that this vision was not new but had been the aim of Herefordshire’s schools, Council officers and Members since the inception of Herefordshire Council.
“We have met with much success. Children and young people are the County’s future,” added Cllr Rule.
NEW ERA FOR CHILDREN'S SERVICES IN HEREFORD
A new era in the way Herefordshire Council looks after children in the County has begun after Cllr Don Rule, Cabinet Member (Education), was appointed the interim Cabinet Member responsible for Children’s Services.
It marks the first step towards a fully-fledged Children’s Directorate at the Council.
The new Directorate will combine responsibilities which currently lie under the Education Directorate and those which lie under the Children’s division of the Social Care Directorate.
The moves have been brought about as a result of the Children’s Bill, which will impact on all Councils.
It required a change to Herefordshire Council’s constitution to allow the new Cabinet post to be created.
Cabinet agreed to the changes when it met on Thursday last week, October 21.
“These are very exciting times and the creation of this new post means a safer and more secure environment for the County’s children,” said Cllr Don Rule.
“The priorities of the new Directorate will be to ensure that firstly, our children are healthy and happy.
“Next we will ensure that they have real opportunity to achieve their full potential; they must have the prospect of living in a safe and secure community; they must be able to contribute to and fully participate in, their local community.
“They must receive appropriate support throughout their childhood and have access to excellent integrated public services.
“Finally, we want to ensure that there is an end to child poverty, child deprivation and social exclusion.”
Cllr Rule added that this vision was not new but had been the aim of Herefordshire’s schools, Council officers and Members since the inception of Herefordshire Council.
“We have met with much success. Children and young people are the County’s future,” added Cllr Rule.