Sefton Council has appointed a new Executive Director of Children’s Social Care and Education.

After a thorough recruitment process, the Council has appointed Martin Birch, who is currently Director of Children’s Social Care at Together for Children, in Sunderland. Together for Children is owned by Sunderland City Council but controlled by an independent board to ensure operational independence.

Track record

Cllr. Mhairi Doyle, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Children’s Social Care said: “Martin has a strong track record and I am pleased that we have now appointed him to head up our Children’s Social Services teams at a time when they are facing unprecedented levels of demand.

“Sefton Council is well on with addressing the challenges raised by a recent OFSTED inspection and Martin will focus on driving those developments and improvements forward.

Sefton Council committed an extra £6 million to children’s social care in April and in September announced a further £4 million investment in staffing. Extra staff have already been appointed and the Council has established a transformation team supported by the Department for Education.

Committed and skilled

Cllr Doyle continued: “The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic mean that demands on our committed and skilled Children’s Social Care teams is unlike anything we’ve known before.

“Martin joins us at a time when we are putting in place the high-quality, responsive service that families, children and young people across Sefton need.”

Thrilled

Martin Birch who has been with Sunderland Council since 2018, but who hails from Merseyside said: “I am thrilled to have been given this wonderful opportunity. It’s an exciting time to join Sefton Council with significant investment within the Children’s Services, providing the impetus for the next chapter of the improvement journey.

“I am looking forward to working with colleagues to provide the very best services to children, young people and families within the Borough”.