New boss in child safety role at Wolverhampton council

Linda Sanders was already among the high earners at Wolverhampton council, being paid £241,542 as strategic director for people last year.

Now she has been made chairman of the independent safeguarding boards at the council.

Among her tasks will be to ensure the council learns from mistakes highlighted in recent tragedies, such as the deaths of baby Joshua Millinson, who was murdered by father Daniel Sanzone.

A serious case review is still to be published on the death of Jeremiah Regis-Ngaujah, from Wednesfield, who died at the hands of step father Chevaze McGregor.

She replaces Alan Coe, who is retiring from his role after six years.

Council managing director Keith Ireland said: "Linda Sanders has a highly respected national profile and is a leading light in her field, and we are delighted to be able to retain her extensive skills and experience in the city.

"She has made a significant contribution to raising standards of support for vulnerable children, young people and adults and was instrumental in helping to secure the recent good Ofsted rating for Children's Services in the City of Wolverhampton, making it one of the highest performing services in the country.

"Most importantly, Linda brought a significant degree of scrutiny to her role at the City of Wolverhampton Council, driving through improvements and challenging performance as and when required."

He added: "She will bring all of these skills and more to her new role and help ensure the protection that agencies are able to give to some of the most vulnerable people in our city is as high as it possibly can be."

Ms Sanders said: "I am delighted to be taking on this hugely important role.

"Throughout my 40-year career I have remained passionate about improving outcomes for vulnerable people and have developed an in-depth understanding of services for adults, children and young people which will undoubtedly help me to work across the system in this important role.

"I am looking forward to continuing to work closely with partners from across the city of Wolverhampton to ensure that best practice is followed at all times, that recommendations from serious case reviews are implemented in a timely fashion, and to continue to challenge performance and hold agencies to account wherever and whenever necessary so that we continue to work in the best interests of vulnerable residents.”

Opposition Tory leader Councillor Wendy Thompson said: "I'm surprised Alan Coe is going actually and certainly didn't know she was walking into that role.

"It begs the question how was this advertised, especially as it's such an important position.

"We don't want anything to be brushed under the carpet.

"It's an incredibly important role.

"But I must say she has run an efficient service while she has been here."