Chair's Introduction

Jo Grills, Director of Learning and Development, newly appointed by Gloucestershire County Council's Children and Young People's Directorate is now the Chair of the GSCB.  

Jo Grills takes over from Darren Shaw who has been the ACPC Chair since June 2004 and was selected for this role due to his lead responsibility for child protection work being the Head of Service for Children and Families.  Following the recent organisation change, Gloucestershire County Council established the creation of a new Children and Young People's Directorate combining the Children's Services of the Social Services and Education Directorate.

Darren Shaw, now Director of Services for Children and Young People in the new Directorate, has played a strategic role in ensuring that the ACPC focused on its primary objectives.  During the last ACPC meeting in March 2006, members thanked Darren for leading and transforming the ACPC to a more functional and stronger position to ensure a smooth transition for the establishment of the safeguarding board.

Jo Grills is delighted to take up this  new role and is excited about the launch of the GSCB.  "This will provide a very real opportunity to put the safety and welfare of children and young people at the centre of every agency�s work. The Gloucestershire Safeguarding Children Board will make a significant difference in how we all work together to achieve the very best for the children and young people of the county.�

It is hoped that appointing a Chair independent of Child Protection work will ensure an independent voice to the GSCB and an independent view of the quality of safeguarding activity, making it is possible to challenge organisations as necessary and have a clear and distinct identity within Gloucestershire's children's trust governance arrangements.  

The GSCB Chair will have a crucial role in making certain that the board operates effectively and securing an independent voice for the GSCB.  The Working Together document states that "...He or she should be of sufficient standing and expertise to command the respect and support of all partners.  The chair should act objectively and distinguish their role as the GSCB Chair from any day job."

The GSCB would like to welcome Jo Grills, as the new GSCB Chair.