Across England, 152 Directors of Children’s Services (DCSs) are responsible for one of the most important roles in society – improving outcomes for children and young people. Deloitte is helping DCSs and children’s services leaders to continue to grow and develop as impactful leaders through leadership programmes which stretch and challenge through a range of channels including residential events, peer-based action learning approaches, applied seminars on key issues of relevance to children’s services and a suite of online resources. The programmes are highly focused on real and present ‘wicked issues’ in children’s services.

Delivery has been through an effective partnership between Deloitte, The National and Virtual staff Colleges, the children’s services community and a wide range of partner organisations.

The programmes have been supported by government at the highest level, and are widely endorsed through participant feedback and independent evaluation. 96 per cent of the participants on cohorts 1-4 of the DCS Programme said they found it inspiring and 92 per cent said the programme had improved their confidence in their own leadership practice.