Local authorities that are children’s services authorities have a number of specific duties to organise and plan services and to safeguard and promote the welfare of children. These duties fall within the remit of the Director of Children’s Services (DCS) under section 18 of the Children Act 2004. It is essential that the DCS, or senior managers reporting to the DCS, have relevant skills and experience in, and knowledge of, safeguarding and child protection, and that they provide high quality leadership in this area as part of the delivery of effective children’s social care services as a whole.
