The Employment Committee of North Northamptonshire Council is scheduled to convene on Thursday 18 June 2026. The primary focus of the meeting is expected to be the process for selecting and appointing an Executive Director of Children's Services.

Appointment of Executive Director of Children's Services

A key item scheduled for discussion is the selection and appointment process for the statutory role of Executive Director of Children's Services (DCS). This role is critical for the council, holding single officer accountability for education and children's social care functions, including safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. The report outlines proposed recruitment arrangements designed to secure a high-calibre appointment, ensuring strong strategic leadership and continued improvement in outcomes for children and young people.

The report recommends that the Employment Committee establish a politically balanced Sub-Committee, comprising six elected members, to undertake the shortlisting, interviewing, and appointment of candidates for this crucial position. Authority would be delegated to this Sub-Committee to carry out these functions. The role of Executive Director of Children's Services has been vacant since the summer of 2025, with the duties being temporarily fulfilled by the Director of Social Care of the Northamptonshire Children's Trust. The recruitment process, which began with an advertisement on 6 June 2026, is scheduled to close on 21 June 2026, with shortlisting and interviews to follow.

The report details the responsibilities of the Executive Director of Children's Services, which include undertaking statutory duties as defined by the Department for Education, providing leadership and oversight of Children's Services, and managing the contract with the Northamptonshire Children's Trust. The role also involves leading on education functions and acting as the lead officer for Ofsted inspections. The person specification outlines the qualifications, experience, skills, and knowledge required for the role, emphasising substantial senior leadership experience within children's services and a proven track record of delivering successful outcomes in complex environments. The appointment is intended to support the delivery of the Council's Corporate Plan and ensure statutory requirements are met.

The draft timetable for the recruitment process, as outlined in Appendix B of the report Agenda Item No 4 Appendix B - EDCS- Timeline.pdf, indicates that the Employment Committee meeting on 18 June 2026 is a key stage, followed by the advertisement closing on 21 June 2026, shortlisting on 23 June 2026, and the Employment Sub-Committee and Children and Young People's Panel meeting on 26 June 2026.

The meeting is scheduled to take place at the Corby Cube, George Street, Corby, NN17 1QG, and will be available for the public to view live on the Democratic Services' YouTube channel.^[1]