Welcome message from Ann James, Executive Director of Children's Services

We are seeking an exceptional individual to join our team as the Director of Children and Families' Services. This is an exciting opportunity to be part of a service that has already achieved one of the most remarkable turnarounds in the country, and we are now determined to progress even further.

Despite the overall success, our most vulnerable children are not achieving as well as they should. We are placing a spotlight on this issue within our children’s service, by being and working with children, families and partners to create the changes needed for all our children to thrive. 

Our commitment to improvement has yielded significant results. Having been rated as inadequate in 2017, by the summer of 2025, we had been assessed as good overall and outstanding in both leadership and care for children.

This is not a service that is content to rest on its laurels. We are currently rolling out Family Hubs, Youth Hubs, a pilot for a multi-agency Child Protection Team, and new council-run children’s homes. All these initiatives are aimed at keeping children closer to their families and communities. We have fostered a movement that our partners are eager to be part of.

Our new Director of Children and Families will inherit a good service and an outstanding leadership team, as well as the opportunity to shape the next stage in our journey. We are looking for someone who is values-led, intelligent, and adaptable, with a compassionate leadership style and the ability to communicate and build relationships effectively.

This role is ideal for ambitious leaders in children's services who are ready to blend stability with innovation and make a tangible impact. Gloucestershire offers a rare and compelling chance to advance our service to the next level, as we strive to be outstanding across all areas.