Children’s chief to leave Derbyshire council for scandal-hit Rotherham authority

Ian Thomas will take up the role of director of children’s services at the authority in January.

Mr Thomas joined Derbyshire County Council in 2006 after working at Trafford Council.

Ian Stephenson, chief executive of Derbyshire County Council, said: “Ian has been a great asset to Derbyshire, earning the respect and trust of the wide range of people he works with including children, their parents, councillors, teachers, social workers and school governors.

“Under his leadership, Derbyshire’s children’s services were rated among the best in the country by government inspectors from Ofsted; a great achievement.

“I am absolutely sure Ian’s experience and excellent reputation nationally will set him in good store at Rotherham and we wish him well as he prepares to face new challenges.”

In August, a report found at least 1,400 children – some as young as 11 – were subjected to appalling sexual exploitation in Rotherham between 1997 and 2013.