Ex-social worker to be head of child services

AN INTERIM director has been appointed to lead children’s services in the Yorkshire city with the youngest population after the former head stepped down saying it would be “better for Bradford”.

Michael Jameson, who has run Bradford Council’s beleaguered children’s services department since 2014, announced on Monday he is to stand down just weeks after it was judged inadequate by Ofsted.

Mr Jameson said efforts to improve the department should be left to someone “who can commit to that journey”. Now Bradford Council has confirmed that Gladys Rhodes White will be taking on the role of interim strategic director from Monday.

The former nursery nurse and children’s social worker, who has earned national and international praise for her work on child sexual exploitation and early years, received an OBE in 2012 for services to children.

“I am delighted to be joining Bradford Council’s children’s services,” she said. “This is an exciting time for the district as it embarks on a rapid improvement journey to make sure that services for children and families meet the high standards that the council and its partners expect and aspire to. I hope that my experience, commitment and passion for helping children to achieve the very best outcomes can add value to the work already underway across Bradford.”

She will hold the role on an interim basis until May.