Date:	7 Sep 2010
Address:	http://www1.nationalcollege.org.uk/index/leadershiplibrary/leading-childrens-services/dcs-think-pieces

DCS think pieces

These pages offer insights into the working lives of directors of children's services.

A week in the life of a DCS
In this think piece, Maggie Atkinson, a former director of children’s services (DCS) in a successful local authority describes her week.
Leading children’s services
Rosalind Turner has recently taken up the role of managing director for Children, Families and Education with Kent County Council. In this think piece, she talks about her key priorities, and reflects on her previous experiences, as an incoming director of children’s services (DCS).
Leading children’s services in a new unitary authority
From the perspective of her dual role as Director of Children, Families and Learning and Deputy Chief Executive of the council, Edwina Grant talks about the challenges faced by children’s services over the coming months.
The thoughts of a DCS on her last day before going on holiday
Alison O’Sullivan joined Kirklees Council as director of the new Children and Young People Service in January 2006. Here, Alison describes her thoughts and priorities on her last day before taking a holiday.

DCS Leadership Programme leadership challenge
Shared learning from the DCS Leadership Programme
Mentor Plus handbook
An overview of the Mentor Plus scheme for directors of children's services (DCSs)
Seizing Success 2010 - Leading for outcomes
This workshop provides an update on the emerging findings of the National College's Leading for Outcomes research project into effective knowledge, skills and behaviours of directors of children's services and their senior leadership teams.
Seizing Success 2010 - Seizing the system, seeing solutions: integrated system leadership in children's centres
The spotlight has fallen on the need for system leaders and outward facing, future-focused leadership across the 0-19 agenda. By design and also by default, children's centre leaders are becoming the trailblazers in system leadership, exemplifying partnership and multi-agency working at its finest and most complex. This workshop is aimed at delegates from children's centres, schools across all phases of learning, and multi-agency representatives.
Aspirant DCS Programme - questions raised at the regional information sessions
Answers to the questions raised at the Aspirant DCS Programme regional information sessions

Developing individuals in the south west
National College resource: think-piece looking at ways a project based in the south west aimed to make a real impact on the capacity of the voluntary and community sector by developing the talent of individuals working in the third sector
Developing individuals in the south east
National College resources: how the Government Office: South East commissioned a small scale leadership development programme for second-tier officers in the 19 local authorities to address their concerns over turnover of senior leaders in childrenâs services
Managing talent think-piece
National College resources: think-piece looking at how the National Leadership Qualities Framework and classic film It's a Wonderful Life are being used as inspiration in Leeds for managing talent
Collaborative working think piece
National College resources: this think piece looks at how collaborative working using existing and new networks in East Midlands has been the key to implementing an effective plan for improving talent management and succession planning
Development needs case study
National College resources examining the development needs of aspiring directors of children's services in London

Keep a sense of perspective about your challenges
Kim Bromley-Derry reminds us that when you put personal problems in perspective, they take on their proper proportions in this 50Lessons video
Appointing people with passion
50Lessons video where Catherine Fitt emphasises the need to find employees who are passionate about their job
Implement change quickly when taking on a new role
Sir George Cox discusses the importance of making changes immediately in a new role in this 50Lessons video
Developing collaborative practices across professions
50Lessons video where Kim Bromley-Derry talks about the best practices to encourage collaborative work across professions.
Why become a director of children's services?
National College resources outlining the benefits and challenges of the role of director of children's services.

A week in the life of a DCS - a think piece
National College resources: DCS think pieces. In this think piece, a former director of children's services (DCS) in a successful local authority describes her week in the role.
What is happening locally?
National College resources: how to get involved in succession planning at a regional level.
National support team contact details
National College resources: national support team contact details for succession planning at a regional level.
Why become a director of children's services?
National College resources outlining the benefits and challenges of the role of director of children's services.
Identifying and managing talent
National College resources: how to develop regional programmes to spot and track talented professionals in your region

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