The Employment Sub-Committee of Barnet Council met on 1 May 2025 to discuss a single item of business. The main item for discussion was scheduled to be the appointment of an Executive Director of Children and Families. The agenda also included the minutes of the previous meeting, apologies for absence, declarations of interest and any urgent items the chair decided to raise.

Appointment of Executive Director of Children and Families

The Sub-Committee was scheduled to consider a report regarding the appointment to the post of Executive Director of Children and Families¹. According to the report pack, the previous postholder had departed on 31 December 2024, and the post had since been filled on an interim basis. The council’s nominated executive search agents, Starfish, had conducted a search, and a shortlist of candidates had been produced following technical interviews undertaken by the current interim DCS and a Director of Starfish.

The report stated that prior to the Employment Sub-Committee meeting, the shortlisted candidates would meet a panel of young people, a panel of staff, a panel of stakeholders, and the Chief Executive. Feedback from those meetings would be provided to the Sub-Committee.

The report stated that the post of Executive Director of Children and Families fulfils the statutory role of Director of Children’s Services (DCS) and is essential to provide strong leadership in critical service areas including education and children’s social care.

The report noted that the cost of this appointment was included within existing budgets.

The report also stated:

Rule 3.2.3 of Part 4C of the HR Regulations states that the appointment of Chief Officers is a function reserved to the Employment Sub Committee and may include an external appointment process

Rule 3.2.5 of Part 4C of the HR Regulations states that the appointment of Chief Officers (as listed in Article 9) is a function reserved to the Employment Sub-Committee. Chief Officer appointments made by the Employment Sub-Committee will be reported to Full Council for information.