Charity professionals could be answer to DCS shortage

Children’s professionals working for charities could become directors of children’s services (DCSs) to tackle a potential recruitment crisis, according to a report.

The report by the National College for School Leadership (NCSL) and the Children’s Workforce Development Council (CWDC) has found that around 30 of the 150 DCSs will quit within the year and more than half plan to leave within three years.

But with only half of junior council managers surveyed interested in taking on the role, the report is urging local authorities tolook further afield, within the charity sector, for potential applicants.

The report found that the vast majority of current DCSs come from council education or social care roles, but around a third of voluntary sector representatives surveyed said the role appealed to them.

The report’s findings will be used by the NCSL, CWDC and Association of Directors of Children’s Services (ADCS) to help develop leadership courses for aspiring and current DCSs.

It calls for further research to ensure such courses appeal to junior council managers and can be better tailored to those outside the council sector. Charity professionals surveyed cited cultural differences between councils and the voluntary sector as well as a lack of training as barriers to taking up the posts.

The report also found that the majority of DCSs are British, white and middle-aged, with an average age of 53.