The Chief Officer Appointments Sub-Committee of Newham Council was scheduled to convene to discuss the appointment of a new Director of Adult Social Care. The meeting's agenda focused on the interview process for this key role, with the sub-committee tasked with making a recommendation for appointment.

Appointment of Director of Adult Social Care

The primary item scheduled for discussion was the appointment of a Director of Adult Social Care. This role was established as part of a review of the council's management hierarchy to strengthen the senior leadership within the Adults and Health directorate. The need for this position was identified following a CQC inspection in 2025, which highlighted insufficient senior resource to implement an improvement plan.

The recruitment process involved advertising the position and receiving ten applications. Five candidates were longlisted and underwent an assessment by an external assessor, Georgia Chimbani, Corporate Director of Adults and Health at the London Borough of Tower Hamlets. Two candidates were then selected to proceed to a selection assessment centre, which included a one-to-one interview with Fiona Connolly, Corporate Director of Adults and Health, a partner stakeholder panel, and a residents panel.

The sub-committee was scheduled to interview the candidates who progressed from the assessment centre. The report pack indicated that the sub-committee was asked to Recommend for appointment, following consultation with Cabinet members, the successful applicant following the conclusion of the interviews. ¹ The details of the successful applicant were to be recorded in the meeting's minutes.

The report also noted that the recommendation of the sub-committee would be subject to a two-working-day consultation period with all members of the Cabinet. During this time, Cabinet members could consider the proposed appointment and raise any objections, provided they were reasonable, well-founded, and based on material fact.

The report confirmed that the position of Director of Adult Social Care is a budgeted post and that salary costs would align with the council's Pay Policy for 2026/2027. The process and recommendation were stated to be in accordance with the Council's Constitution and Officer Employment Procedure Rules, and all appointments are required to comply with general employment legislation and the council's recruitment policy.