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Three Chief Officers head up new Children & Young People’s Service

Three chief officers have been appointed to Wrexham County Borough Council’s newly revamped Children and Young People’s Service.

Hywyn Williams, Clare Field and Bob MacLaren will head up the new departments that brings together all provision for children and young people living in the County Borough under one umbrella.

For some time the Council has been looking at providing services to children, young people and families in an innovative and cost-effective way that would bring significant benefits in terms of the services offered.

This follows Wrexham County Borough Council’s drive to “deliver what matters” to residents and ensure that services get to the heart of what customers want and need.

The changes will bring about three departments under the headings Learning and Achievement, led by Hywyn Williams, Prevention and Inclusion, led by Clare Field and Safeguarding and Support, led by Bob MacLaren.

Hywyn Williams, a former acting headteacher of Ysgol Morgan Llwyd, who took up the role of Acting Chief Education Officer in September 2005 has responsibility for the Learning and Achievement agenda. This provides general services and activities that are available to all children and young people on a regular basis, for example, schools, out of hours learning and the children’s university.

Clare Field, returns to Wrexham following a period working in Shropshire County Council as Head of Safeguards. Clare will be heading up Prevention and Inclusion Services and her new portfolio includes Educational Social Work Support; Youth Offending Services; Youth Services; Learning Support and community based services for families.

Bob MacLaren, was until recently the Assistant Chief Social Services Officer for children with Wrexham. His new portfolio of Safeguarding and Support includes responsibility for family support, “looked after” children and fostering and adoption. The Department will ensure that the Council continues to deliver a high quality service to those children who are at greatest risk.

Wrexham Council’s Strategic Director, Terry Garner said: “One of the Council's key priorities has been to listen to the views of children, young people and their families. These views have guided and informed a major re-structuring of our service teams so that they can work more effectively together to deliver even higher quality provision. Our emphasis is on continuing to offer services of the highest quality in a way that provides early support, ensures key safeguards for our most vulnerable young people and encourages high levels of aspiration and achievement.

“We have more challenges to overcome, particularly in terms of raising aspirations and working closely with our partners, but are confident that the high levels of support available from elected Members and staff will ensure continued improvements for this critically important age group.”

Lead Members for Children and Young People, Cllr Arwel Jones and Cllr David Bithell said: “

“We believe that the changes will make a difference to children and young people living in Wrexham County Borough as they will enable them to access the services that they want and need to live happy, healthy lives and to achieve their full potential in life. Bringing the services together ensures that when decisions have to be taken in the best interests of children and young people they can be taken quickly and in close collaboration with the relevant officer.”