Executive Director of Children’s Services to leave April 2023

Chris Spencer will be leaving his post at the end of April 2023.

Chris joined the county council as Director of Children’s Services in 2018, having held a number of similar senior roles in other local authorities, and with experience as Independent Chair of two Improvement Boards for the Department for Education (DfE) and adviser to the Home Office on matters relating to Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children.

Chris was appointed following Ofsted’s 2017 inspection rated the county’s children services as ‘inadequate’ and tasked with leading them out of special measures, which, supported by a talented workforce and significant county council investment, he has successfully delivered.

During his time at the county council, Chris has overseen an improvement journey which has transformed Children’s Services, making a real difference to the lives of children and families in the county.

In its most recent report, Ofsted recognised the ‘significant progress’ the council has made. The inspector highlighted the significant impact Chris had as a leader of the service and the relentless drive for improvement and the significant financial investment by the council, which has resulted in children being better protected.

Ofsted also commended social workers for their passion in achieving the best for the children they support and how generally a more stable workforce is helping to deliver better outcomes for children and young people.  

The council’s Social Work Academy, an early initiative which Chris brought to Gloucestershire, was identified as another area of strength, which will support the council to ‘grow its own’ social workers, delivering a strong, effective workforce for years to come.

Chris Spencer, executive director of children’s services said: “I will be sad to leave but it was always the plan that I would only stay for as long as it took to move the service out of intervention and on the path to good services, and a committed, talented senior leadership team had been recruited, ensuring the improvement journey continued in safe hands.

“We’ve made tremendous progress and it’s been a privilege to work with so many dedicated people who have played a key role in our improvement journey.”

Cllr Stephen Davies, cabinet member for children’s safeguarding and early years at Gloucestershire County Council said: “I have always valued Chris’s expertise and support, and he has done a phenomenal job guiding the improvement process for our Children’s Services.

“I have also appreciated his personal support. I wish him all the best.”

The recruitment process for Chris’ replacement got under way today.