One of the highest paid employees at Central Bedfordshire Council director of children’s services Sue Harrison is leaving the local authority next month.
Her department has been under pressure after a critical Ofsted and Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspection in November 2019.
Their report highlighted significant areas of weakness in the local area’s special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) provision.
A written statement of action was required from CBC and BLMK Clinical Commissioning Group.
Parents have criticised the slow pace of change, despite the impact of the pandemic across council services.
After seven years in the role, Ms Harrison is moving on at the end of October to focus on a new challenge, said a CBC statement.
A demand for heads to roll was made last summer by Independent Potton councillor Adam Zerny.
“We need change at the top,” he warned at the time. “The senior management and senior councillors must take responsibility, and hand over to others who can manage this more effectively.”
An external consultant and SEND programme director was reportedly hired on an £800 a day fee to help drive through improvements.
But only last week parents from the Central Bedfordshire SEND Action Group staged a protest outside the council’s Chicksands HQ over a lack of SEND school places.
They lined up 52 pairs of shoes outside the building, one for each child lacking a place this September.
Council officers and executive members were criticised for not speaking to the parents.
Ms Harrison’s absence from the subsequent children’s services overview and scrutiny committee meeting was attributed to illness.
But her deputy director Sarah Ferguson’s demeanour, filling in for her boss, suggested something was amiss.
Ms Harrison is responsible for 720 staff and a gross revenue budget of more than £76m, according to the council’s website.
The salary band for the position is £155,000 to £159,999. As well as children’s services, her brief covers safeguarding and early help, education and business and support services.
CBC said: “Sue led the successful transformation of children’s social care to achieve a ‘good’ rating by Ofsted in 2017.
“Following the inspection of local SEND provision in 2019, Sue has developed a comprehensive improvement plan with partners and leaves the council having set the firm foundations for the team to continue the improvement journey.”
Ms Harrison described it as “a huge wrench to leave such a brilliant, dedicated team here in CBC”, saying: “They make a positive difference to children and their families every day.
“I know the council will continue to build on these strengths as I move on. Like many others, the pandemic has led me to reflect on my future.
“My passion and where I believe I really add the most value is helping organisations at the start of their improvement journey.
“This is the role I fulfilled successfully at Blackpool and here at Central Bedfordshire, but now it’s time for a new challenge.”
In a social media post, Independent Apsley and Woburn councillor highlighted several budgetary concerns.
The educational transport budget now costs CBC more than £9m each year, he said.
“Budget cuts of £1m were announced in February 2020 without any credible delivery plan and reversed the following year after pressure from independent councillors.
Children with special needs were sent in taxis on hour long journeys to and from school, while SEND facilities were cut from schools, despite the obvious problems in this area, he added.
“The council will start the search for a new director soon, and that director requires a councillor capable of leading the department. It’s time for change.”
