John Goldup appointed new independent chair of Bucks Children’s Improvement Board

The Government has appointed a new independent chair to head up Buckinghamshire’s Children’s Services Improvement Board.

John Goldup, a former Deputy Chief Inspector and National Director of Social Care at Ofsted will chair hisfirst meeting of the Board on Thursday (April 23). John also bringsa wealth of local government experience managing children’s and adult social care departments in various local authorities.

The decision to appoint an independent chair follows a series of recommendations made in a detailed report by Government consultants, Red Quadrant, whichexamined Buckinghamshire’s plans for improvement following Ofsted’s ‘inadequate’ rating of its Children’s social care services last August. (see previous press release dated March 27). John has been formally appointed by the Secretary of State for Education.

Chief Executive Chris Williams who previously chaired the Board said he welcomed John’s appointment. “A new independent chair will ensure both complete transparency and an extra dimension of challenge to the work of the Improvement Board. We have robust plans in place to improve services as quickly as we can and with John’s chairmanship I know we can deliver on our aspirations.

“Stepping aside from chairing the Board will allow me to fully concentrate on supporting my managers to drive the Improvement Plan at pace,” he added.