Manchester’s Strategic Director of Children’s Services, Mike Livingstone has announced that he will be stepping down.
The announcement comes just months after a damning OFSTED report found that children’s services are inadequate and that Manchester is not yet delivering good protection, help or care for children, young people and families.
Livingstone, who has been in charge of children services for the past three years, said in a statement that
“Our new approaches to early years and to helping troubled families are just two initiatives which I’m proud of. Also the creation of the Manchester Youth Council, and the enormous progress that has been made during this time on closing the gap between achievements in our schools and schools nationally.
“Despite this progress however it’s clear from the recent Ofsted judgement together with the ongoing budget challenges we face that changes are now called for.”
“There is still much more to be done in the city and I think this calls for a fresh pair of eyes to take the helm of Children’s Services and see this work through.
Gladys Rhodes White has been appointed to take over as Interim Strategic Director of Children’s Services when Mike Livingstone leaves at the end of this month. She is an experienced leader of Children’s Services with a track record of improving services for children, young people and families.
