Doncaster child services boss says he’ll be staying

DONCASTER’S new director of children’s’s services has vowed to stick around to help improve the troubled department.

In his first interview after starting his new role on Monday, Doncaster-born Chris Pratt, told the Free Press: “It’s a challenge but I don’t find it daunting.”

Mr Pratt, who will be on a six-figure salary, is the fifth person to be responsible for the safeguarding of youngsters in the borough after the scandal within children’s services started to unravel in 2007.

He is the first full-timer appointment to the role in 18 months.

Mr Pratt, 56, a former school principal, moved to Doncaster from Trafford Council in Manchester where he spent 12 years, including seven years as the authority’s director of children’s services.

The married father of three teenage daughters said improvements had already been made in the department and he was pleased to return to the area.

He added: “There is still a lot to do but I’m very confident that we can make those improvements. I had seen Doncaster in the news. I knew about Doncaster and before I came for interview I tried to find out as much as I could. There has not been stable leadership.

“I’m here to stay. I have a record of staying in the places I have worked for several years. I’m very enthusiastic about staying, I feel very proud to have taken up this position.”

Mr Pratt takes over from Nick Jarman, who was brought in temporarily last year at the height of the children’s services crisis. He is set to leave Doncaster in two weeks. Mr Pratt’s appointment was confirmed in December in the same week when Ofsted said Doncaster had one of the worst records in the country for safeguarding children.

The Government took over the running of children’s services after the Free Press exclusively revealed the chaos within the department. Seven children, all known to social services, have died from suspected abuse or neglect.

Mr Pratt has been working with Mr Jarman to ensure a smooth handover.

“As well as giving urgent priority to continuing the improvement in our front-line safeguarding services and getting out of Government intervention, I will be focusing on developing our vision for how we can make the biggest difference to the quality of lives of our children and young people, and build on the capacity and capability required to deliver this,” Mr Pratt said.

“I look forward to working together and building a first-class children’s service in Doncaster. Given the talent, dedication and commitment I have seen so far, I have no doubt we can succeed in this mission.”