Council appoints Interim Director of Adult Care

Date published: 18/02/2008

Rochdale Borough Council has appointed a new interim Executive Director, to oversee the improvement of its Adult Care service.

Jim Wilson, who has worked as a social services director at a number of councils across the country, has started his new role with Rochdale today (Monday 18 February) and will lead the changes being implemented following a disappointing inspection of social care services provided to older people across the borough.

The report last year by the Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI) identified a number of key areas where Rochdale Borough Council could do better to fully meet the needs of vulnerable adults. An action and improvement plan has already been put in place to drive forward the much-needed changes. One of the agreed actions was to provide more support for the Adult Care service at senior management level.

Mr Wilson has more than thirty years of local government experience and has most recently undertaken short-term projects to lead social services changes at authorities including Hillingdon, Lambeth, South Tyneside and Leeds. He was also employed by neighbouring Bury Council and brought the authority's social services department out of 'special measures' within 18 months.

Councillor Dale Mulgrew, cabinet member for health and social care, said: "Jim has a wealth of experience and I'm sure he will bring a fresh approach to the issues highlighted in our Adult Care service. He was appointed by an all-party selection panel who were impressed with his excellent track record and dynamic vision for improvement. Jim has a tough job to do, but has the full backing of his new colleagues on the council's executive leadership team. This is an interim post for up to two years and shows that we are determined to improve the service that vulnerable people across the borough are currently receiving."

Mr Wilson will be working closely with the Adult Care service management team to take forward a number of improvement actions agreed with CSCI.

Jim Wilson said: "I'm looking forward to working in Rochdale, it's a borough that has many similar issues to those that I've encountered elsewhere in the country. I'm hoping to build on the good work already underway to address some of the problems and to drive forward the proposals for changing and improving services. It's my aim to develop sustainable adult social care services that fully serve the needs of local people."