The Employment Sub-Committee convened to discuss and approve a senior management restructure within the Children and Family Service, ultimately voting to recommend the creation of two new Assistant Director posts to the Full Council for final approval. The restructure aims to consolidate existing interim arrangements and enhance the service's capacity to manage the evolving strategic landscape, particularly in light of upcoming reforms. The committee also addressed questions regarding trade union consultation, the statutory functions of the new posts, and the recruitment process.

Senior Management Restructure in Children and Family Service

The Employment Sub-Committee approved the creation of two new posts in the Children and Families Service and recommended to Full Council the approval of the salary package. These roles have been assessed as Grade 6, currently £104,044 - £126,754 per annum:

• Assistant Director Prevention and Practice Improvement
• Assistant Director Family Help and Adolescent Services

John Anthony, Executive Director Children and Families, presented the report outlining the rationale behind the senior management restructure. He emphasised the need to consolidate existing interim arrangements that have been in place for the past year to ensure sufficient capacity to manage the current strategic landscape. He noted that this was particularly important in light of the Best Start of Life, Social Care and SEND Reforms¹. The proposed structure aims to provide consistency and stability by transitioning staff in acting-up positions to permanent roles, utilising existing budgets.

Members of the committee raised questions about the proposed structure and its comparison to similar services in other local authorities. Councillor Peter Zinkin, Leader of the Conservative Group, was keen to understand if the proposed structure was benchmarked against other local authorities. John Anthony, Executive Director Children and Families, explained that while some authorities have Operation Directors posts, the proposed model is the most suitable for Barnet.

The committee also discussed the consultation process with trade unions. John Anthony, Executive Director Children and Families, referenced the council's Trade Union Engagement and Consultation framework and highlighted the importance of informal conversations with unions when implementing change.

In response to further questions from members, it was clarified that both Assistant Director posts for Prevention and Practice Improvement as well as Family Help and Adolescent Services are providing statutory functions.

The committee also discussed the probationary period for new staff, with it being noted that employees already on permanent contracts who moved to new roles were not subject to a probationary period.

Members queried whether there was an expectation that suitable candidates with the right skills would come forward. John Anthony, Executive Director Children and Families, said that in addition to the two candidates who were currently in acting up positions, other strong internal candidates should be encouraged to apply through what will be a strong and transparent recruitment process.

Members reviewed the job descriptions and asked if timely support particularly in relation to high mental health needs has been factored into the new roles. It was noted that early help clinical services will continue to be provided by teams under the Assistant Director Prevention and Practice Improvement. John Anthony, Executive Director Children and Families, acknowledged the wider national mental health and wellbeing challenges, but emphasised that these roles should still have some influence on the overall clinical services delivered by both the service and the council.