Meet the council's new children's services deputy director

THE council’s new £120,000 children’s services deputy director says she is thrilled to help Rotherham in becoming a “child-centred” borough.

Mel Meggs has been appointed to the new role, which replaces the department’s £90,990 assistant director for safeguarding children and families.

Ms Meggs will arrive in May from Derbyshire County Council, where she is service director for early help and safeguarding.

She has 30 years’ experience in early help and social work and was previously head of prevention at Leicester City Council.

Ms Meggs said she was thrilled to be joining RMBC, adding: “As someone who has worked across many different pockets of children’s services across the UK in some of the most diverse and challenging areas, I’m looking forward to bringing my experience, passion and values as a public servant to drive and deliver quality services for the people of Rotherham.

“As Rotherham is working to become a child-centred borough, I welcome the opportunity to contribute personally to this vision and support the council and its partners in the great work they are doing.”

Ms Meggs new job will be to deputise for children’s services director Ian Thomas.

Part of the role will see her spend time with frontline social workers.

The appointment was made by an all-party panel of councillors and commissioner Malcolm Newsam.