Ann James has been appointed Gloucestershire County Council's new director of Safeguarding and Care for Children's Services.

Ann is currently director for Children, Families and Safer Communities and acting director of Children's Services at Bristol City Council where she has oversight of all aspects of Children's Services including social care. 

She will take up her new position in Gloucestershire in the New Year.

Ann has worked within Children's Services and Community Safety for more than thirty years holding a number of senior management and leadership roles. She is said to have extensive knowledge and experience of safeguarding as well as improving the quality and performance of services.

The recruitment process included several panels of key partners in the third sector, the NHS, schools, young people and the police as well as county council senior leaders.

The final interview panel consisted of the director of Children's Services from Gloucestershire, a former director of Children's Social Care at Ofsted, and the council's director of People and Digital Services.

Chris Spencer, director of Children's Services at Gloucestershire County Council said: "I am very pleased to welcome Ann to Gloucestershire. She brings a wealth of safeguarding experience and expertise. I have every confidence that she will build on the very positive direction of travel which we have established for Children's Services.

"Ann's experience of improving services will add significantly to our local improvement journey and our ambition to become a 'good' local authority."

Cllr Stephen Davies, cabinet member for children's safeguarding and early years at Gloucestershire County Council said: "I welcome Ann's appointment. She greatly impressed the recruitment panel and it is clear that she will be a huge asset who can help us to build upon the progress we have made to improve Children's Services in Gloucestershire."

Ann James said: "I am delighted to have been selected as Gloucestershire's new Director of Safeguarding and Care. I am passionate about improving the lives of children, young people and families and look forward to working with colleagues at all levels to make sure that Gloucestershire continues its positive progress."