Council appoints new directors
Oxfordshire County Council has announced the appointment of new directors for Children’s Services and Adult Services.
Current Deputy Director for Children’s Social Care Lucy Butler has taken on the role of Director for Children’s Services, while Deputy Director for Joint Commissioning Kate Terroni has been appointed to the Director for Adult Services role.
They will be replacing outgoing directors Jim Leivers for children’s services, and John Jackson for adult services.
Lucy Butler
Lucy has 25 years’ experience working across Adults and Children’s Social Care, and has made a significant difference to the lives of many children and their families since taking on her current role three years ago.
She has led the council through two successful Ofsted inspections and helped the development in Oxfordshire of a nationally recognised child sexual exploitation strategy. This has led to children at risk of child sexual exploitation being effectively identified and protected, and has influenced practice in all agencies offering support to children and young people.
Lucy said: “I’m delighted to be given this opportunity and looking forward to the challenges that lie ahead. As deputy director I’ve already been privileged to work alongside some very dedicated and talented people - here at the council, at schools and other partner agencies, across local communities - who all share the goal of making Oxfordshire the best possible place for children to grow up in, and helping young people lead safe, secure and happy lives.
“I’m looking forward to strengthening those relationships so we can continue to transform our services in ways which improve the lives of Oxfordshire residents. I also want to work directly with children and young people to ensure they have a say in their future.”
Kate Terroni
Since joining the council three years ago, Kate has led the council’s safeguarding service and operational services. As Deputy Director for Joint Commissioning she has overseen the delivery of new Help to Live at Home contracts, and led on the adult social care workforce strategy - recognised nationally as an example of good practice.
Kate has helped lead the council’s response to the most significant piece of social care legislation in 60 years - the introduction of the Care Act 2014. She also has experience of hospital social work, learning disabilities and services for older people.
She said: “I’m delighted to be appointed to this role and excited by the opportunity to transform our services so that the most vulnerable in our society can continue to get the support which enables them to live independently within our community.
“Oxfordshire has a strong track record of involving service users and families in the design of our services, and as director, I want to ensure this continues, and is further embedded in all of our work.”
Arrangements are in place with the outgoing Directors to ensure a successful transition moving forward from today, with full handover of statutory responsibilities in December.