LATEST NEWS

From Sandwell’s DCS and our commissioning sponsor: As we move into the autumn, I hope colleagues have been able to enjoy at least some time away from work over the summer. Whilst many of us will have taken the opportunity to recharge, activity across the West Midlands children's services system has certainly not stood still. You'll forgive me if this month's introduction is slightly more focused on one particular area than is perhaps usual, but recent weeks have marked a si

West Midlands Children’s Services Team Excellence Awards 2026 The West Midlands ADCS Network is proud to celebrate the outstanding teams recognised at the Team Excellence Awards 2026, held at Worcestershire County Cricket Club, New Road. Now in its fifth year, the Team Excellence Awards have become a valued regional tradition, providing an opportunity to recognise and celebrate the individuals and teams whose dedication, innovation and commitment are improving the lives of ch

From Worcestershire’s DCS: As we reach the height of summer, it is hard to ignore just how much continues to move at pace across our region. While many colleagues will be taking some well-earned leave over the coming weeks, the reality is that children’s services rarely slow down, and there remains a significant amount of activity taking place across the West Midlands. Alongside the day-to-day challenges that leaders, practitioners and partners continue to navigate, many of

From Telford & Wrekin’s DCS: As we move towards the summer break, it feels like an appropriate moment to reflect on what has been another exceptionally busy and productive period across the West Midlands. Wherever I go in the region, I continue to be struck by the commitment, creativity and resilience of colleagues who are working every day to improve outcomes for children, young people and families. We have seen a significant amount of inspection activity across the region

From Herefordshire’s DCS: I am writing this month’s Regional Update as we move further into the summer period. With longer days and some welcome sunshine, I hope there is at least a small opportunity for colleagues to take a breath and recharge, even as we continue to navigate what remains a very busy and demanding time across Children’s Services. Across the region, there is a great deal of activity underway, much of it focused on major areas of reform that will shape our w

From Wolverhampton’s DCS: I am writing this month’s Regional Update as we head towards the early summer Bank Holiday and half term. With some welcome good weather on the horizon, I hope there is an opportunity for you all to take a well‑earned break and enjoy a moment of pause during what continues to be a very busy period across our services. It feels as though SEND reform is at the forefront of all our work at the moment, and understandably so. The scale and pace of chang

From our Co-vice Chair and Workforce and Leadership Sponsor: I am writing this months, Regional Update following the Easter Bank Holiday weekend and I am sure like me you welcome this time of year where we have the pleasure of all that spring brings and long bank holiday weekends, which means summer is just on the horizon. So, I am writing this update with lots of positivity. On 26th March 2026, DCS’s and members of their senior leadership teams came together at Walsall

From Stoke-on-Trent’s DCS: As I’m writing this, it feels like Spring has arrived, the sun is shining and the days warming. However, although spring is a season of change, we are still facing some of same challenges we have seen in our roles over many years. As Bernie wrote in last month’s regional update Local Authorities and indeed the wider public sector are facing extraordinary financial pressures set against the need to make or sustain improvements while budgets tighten,

From Staffordshire’s DCS and our co‑vice chair: As we move further into 2026, I’ve found myself returning to something Rasheed wrote in last month’s introduction — that our services do more than improve outcomes; they actively shape a fairer society. That message feels particularly resonant now, as political volatility continues not just across our region, but nationally and internationally. In this context, our values are not simply statements on a page; they are the foundat