Council commissioner Malcolm Newsam to leave in May

Mr Newsam was appointed 18 months ago after Ofsted flagged up serious and widespread failings in the wake of the Jay report.

The Department for Education will choose a replacement to take over the role after the May 5 elections.

Mr Newsam said: “I have decided to bring my appointment as commissioner for children’s social care to a close.

"In October 2014, I was asked by the secretary of state to undertake a three-month assignment and so, after some eighteen months, I think it is now time for me to move on.

“I have been immensely privileged to be part of the Rotherham recovery and I know that with strategic director Ian Thomas and his new management team now finally in place, I leave the service in very good hands.”

Mr Newsam has overseen the strengthening of the children’s services leadership team — including a new post of deputy director and more assistant directors.

The CSE team, Evolve, has also been developed and a new integrated IT system for social workers is expected to go live in early summer.

Four other commissioners joined Mr Newsam in a Government-appointed team placed in charge of RMBC after the child sex abuse scandal.

The new arrangements are expected to be in force until the end of March 2019 but a phased roll-back of powers is under way.

Children’s social care is expected to be among the last to be returned.

Mr Thomas, appointed as children’s director last year, thanked Mr Newsam for the “fundamental and continuous” progress made.

Mr Newsam will be the second RMBC commissioner to leave. Stella Manzie left after new chief executive Sharon Kemp was appointed in February.