Isle of Wight Council’s children’s services department needs a new head, amid turmoil in County Hall’s education policy.
In March, education and inclusion deputy director, Brian Pope and former department director, Steve Crocker, left the Isle of Wight Council.
Their positions were shared between the Island and Hampshire County Council and both were based on the mainland.
Now, a successful candidate is required to take the lead, as the two councils’ working partnership comes to an end.
Isle of Wight Council’s appointments and employment committee members could agree to start the recruitment process when they meet on Tuesday, August 29.
Committee members could also agree to look at interim arrangements, to cover the transition.
A report being presented to them warns any delay in starting the recruitment process puts the Isle of Wight Council at risk of not being able to fulfil its statutory duties.
If they agree to place a job advert, interviews could take place at the start of November.
The Isle of Wight Council-based position is expected to command a salary of at least £109,693, according to County Hall’s pay policy.
A draft job summary says the new director would spearhead an innovative and integrated approach to the delivery of children’s services.
It can take at least six months to fill such a senior position and interim boss, Stuart Ashley, formerly the deputy director for children and families, is currently in the role.
For the past year, the Isle of Wight Council has been trying to deal with the issues of too many empty places in primary schools, a lack of teacher recruitment and tightening budgets.
In July, the Island authority was shocked by the news of Hampshire County Council’s decision to terminate a decade-old partnership, choosing to focus on children in its own county.
Last month, council leader, Cllr Lora Peacey-Wilcox apologised for the way certain announcements about potential school closures had been made and she assumed the role of education lead.
In September, the Isle of Wight Council and leading cabinet members will reveal more about what will happen next for the children’s services department, meanwhile a leadership challenge has also been launched and will go to a vote on September 20.
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