"Driving improvement in outcomes for children is my absolute passion": Council appoints new Children's Services Director

A former social worker who helped deliver an 'outstanding' children's services offer has been appointed as Director of Children's Services by Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council.

Majella McCarthy will bring more than 20 years' experience when she joins the authority from Together For Children (TFC), which is commissioned by Sunderland City Council.

The former seconded Ofsted inspector is currently Director of Children's Social Care at TFC, having first joined the organisation in 2019.

And Majella played a key role in ensuring Sunderland City Council's children's services offer jumped from being rated 'inadequate' by Ofsted to 'outstanding'.

Majella's new post will see her oversee children's help and support services, children's social care, education and special educational needs and inclusion.

She is set to join the Council in April.

Majella said: "As soon as I heard about the role I was really interested, as driving improvement in outcomes for children is my absolute passion, as my track record shows. I know that's a strong focus for the Council. 

"I am from the region and from early conversations I have had, it came across how there is very much a child-focus, which really appealed to me.

"As well as improving outcomes for children and parents across the Borough, I also want to build relationships with colleagues across the directorate and develop a more permanent workforce.

"I was drawn in by the fact this is an ambitious Borough, which I know is a great place to live and work."

Councillor Lisa Evans, the Council's Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, said: "We are delighted to welcome Majella to the Council and she joins with a vast amount of experience and proven track record across the region, which really speaks for itself.

"It's great to hear about Majella's vision for the role and putting children and families at the forefront of decision-making.

"And of course the appointment comes at a time when the 'Powering our Future' transformation work across the Council ramps up, with Majella a great fit to help oversee this."

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