Meeting documents

HR/14/3

Appointments Committee

10 December 2014

APPOINTMENT OF HEAD OF CHILDRENS SOCIAL WORK SERVICE AND CHILD PROTECTION

Report of the Head of Services for Communities

Recommendation:

(a) that the Committee note the report of the Head of Services for Communities regarding the availability of suitable candidates;

(b) that the Committee note the proposed timetable for the selection process for the role of Head of Children's Social Work Service and Child Protection.

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1. Introduction

At the Appointments and Remuneration Committee meeting held on 12 November it was agreed that the process of reviewing the market for suitable candidates should proceed. The Executive Search company selected by the Corporate Leadership Team, Gatenby Sanderson, are scheduled to report back with potentially suitable candidates on 8 December. Consequently an update on the outcome of their search will be provided at the meeting.

2. Possible redesignation of post

It has been highlighted to the Appointments and Remuneration Committee that in the event that no suitable candidates are put forward by the Executive Search company, the Council may need to consider redesignation of the post as a Director role.

3. Timetable

The timetable agreed with the Department of Education assumes the appointment of a suitable candidate for the permanent post will be completed by the first week of January. Given the tight timescales and the season, which we understand will be challenging for everyone, the proposed timetable is as follows:

Executive search company to report back on availability of suitable candidates on 8 December

Assessment centre to be held during week commencing 15 December. This will include interviews with the Strategic Director People and the Interim post holder, the Chief Executive and the Chair of the Safeguarding Board, and include activities involving children and key stakeholders.

Appointments and Remuneration Committee to interview suitable candidates during week commencing 15 December (possibly on the same day depending on number of candidates and availability of Committee members)

4. Considerations

It has been acknowledged by the Appointments and Remuneration Committee that sourcing suitable candidates for this role is likely to prove challenging. As a consequence, the job description for this role is being produced setting out the high level responsibilities. The remuneration (including Market Supplement) and status of the role will need to reflect the availability of suitable candidates in the market and formal evaluation of the role will not take place before the recruitment consultancy reports back on 8 December. Due to the unusual circumstances, the Head of Services for Communities will be responsible for overseeing this process, ensuring that the remuneration is limited to 120,000 per annum as previously agreed, and reporting back to the Appointments and Remuneration Committee and Full Council for formal approval.

5. This report has no specific equality, sustainability or legal implications that are not already covered by or subsumed within the detailed policies or practices referred to therein.

6. Financial Implications

Should the recommendations of this paper be agreed there is the possibility of some savings to the Council, given that the post is currently filled by an interim consultant at an annual cost higher to that proposed for a permanent role.

7. Conclusion

It is proposed that the Appointments and Remuneration Committee agree this recommendations in this report prior to submission to the Full Council for ratification on the 11 December 2014.

8. Appendices

Chief Officer & Heads of Service Pay Scale (Appendix 1)

John Smith

Head of Services for Communities

[Electoral Divisions: All]

Local Government Act 1972: List of Background Papers

Contact for Enquiries: Sue Edwards

Tel No: 01392 383000 Room: 241

Background Paper Date File Reference

Appointment of Head of 12 November 2014 HR/14/02

Children's Social Care

Annual Review of Pay 23 January 2014 HR/14/01

Policy Statement, Chief

Officer Employment

Procedure Rules

And Leadership Pay

Appendix 1

Chief Officer & Heads of Service Pay Scale Table

Leadership 0	Point 5	149,995
Leadership 1	Point 4	129,995
Leadership 2	Point 3	105,000
Leadership 3	Point 2	95,000
Leadership 4	Point 1	75,000