Newcastle City Council appoints new Director for Children’s Services

Newcastle City Council has appointed John Collings as Executive Director of Children’s Services. John has held the position on a temporary basis since July 2009 overseeing all aspects of children’s services in the city, including schools, children’s social care, services for families and chairing the Newcastle Children’s Trust Board.

He originally joined the council as Children’s Services Director of Delivering Outcomes in April 2008, having been Deputy Director of Children’s Services at Hartlepool Borough Council and having previously worked as a teacher, school improvement advisor, Ofsted inspector and Assistant Director of Education.

John said: “I am delighted to take on the role of Executive Director of Children’s Services in Newcastle.

“I knew when I came here two years ago that it is a great place to live and work and that I wanted to play a big part in the city’s future.  What better way to do that than helping to improve outcomes for our children and young people.

“We have some amazing young people in Newcastle, some of whom took part in the recruitment process for this job. They asked some very challenging and insightful questions that really made the candidates think.  Everyone involved remarked about their confidence, enthusiasm and skills as interviewers. As Executive Director I’d love to see more of that kind of involvement.”

John succeeds Catherine Fitt, who last year became Strategic Director for Children’s Services for the National College of School Leadership.

Chief Executive, Barry Rowland said: “John already has a strong track record both in Newcastle and in his previous roles and has led Children’s Services very impressively through a time of organisational change.”

Councillor Nick Cott, Executive Member for Children and Young People said: `”We were extremely impressed with all the candidates we interviewed for the role of Executive Director of Children’s Services, which is as important a role as exists in local government, but we think John is just the man for this vital job.”