About NWADCS

The 24 North West local authorities work together to achieve a region that works for all children and those who support them;

•  where innovation and improvement go hand-in-hand;
• where practice, leadership and partnerships are strengths-based;
• where relationships are at the heart of what we do, and how we do it.

The North West authorities are Blackburn with Darwen, Blackpool, Bolton, Bury, Cheshire East, Cheshire West and Chester, Cumberland, Halton, Knowsley, Lancashire, Liverpool, Manchester, Oldham, Rochdale, Salford, Sefton, St Helens, Stockport, Tameside, Trafford, Warrington, Westmorland and Furness, Wigan and Wirral. 

Head of Children's Sector Led Improvement: Paul Bunker 

Leads our small service and acts in a facilitation role for NWADCS and our Regional Innovation and Improvement Alliance to ensure an ambitious, but deliverable, programme of collaborative development and improvement activity benefits the region. He works closely with the NWADCS chair to nurture strategic networks spanning education, inclusion, social care and SEND services, as well as providing an interface with key partners including Ofsted and the Department for Education.

 Email: paul.bunker@stockport.gov.uk 

Data Hub Manager: Julia Mather

My role at NWADCS involves managing the collation and analysis of Children’s Services, Education, and SEND data and intelligence to support insight and evidence-based approaches across the region. Through developing strong working relationships with colleagues and stakeholders, my role is key in promoting the use of data to support high quality commissioning and delivery of services with the aim of underpinning improvement.

Email: julia.mather@stockport.gov.uk 

Policy and Improvement Officer: Jo Pearce

My background is within education; I was a primary school teacher for 10 years and I was also an executive member and rep for the National Education Union. Through working in education, I became familiar with different areas of children’s services alongside policies. I worked with many children with a SEND background who had EHCPs, along with supporting LAC and working with outside agencies such as early help, speech and language and educational psychologists. 

Email: joanne.pearce@stockport.gov.uk 

Improvement Support Officer: Zelda Massey

For over 20 years, I worked as a civil servant in various roles within the Department for Education. My last position was with the Government Office for the North West, where I provided policy support for the safeguarding agenda. Following the closure of the Government Office in 2011, I transitioned to a regional role with the North West Sector Led Improvement Team, where I organised leadership programmes for aspiring directors in Children’s Services. As our team’s responsibilities expanded, the North West Sector Led Improvement Team evolved into North West Association of Directors of Children’s Services (NWADCS) Along with this change, my role shifted to focus on coordinating and supporting all regional improvement activities, including peer challenges. I also serve as the first point of contact for communication with key partners and stakeholders.

Email: zelda.massey@stockport.gov.uk 

Children's Sufficiency Programme Manager: Amy Lythgoe

Whilst in the role as Placements North West Manager I managed the design and development of the NWADCS web portal; the development of the External Placements data collection; and delivered Phase 1 of the SEND Purchasing System. In my current post I have developed approaches to come of the challenges faced by commissioning teams including around uplifts. I have also managed Phase 2 of the SEND Purchasing System including adding 16+ settings and Alternative Provision to the contract and am currently working on developing engagement with relevant stakeholder groups.

Email: amy.lythgoe@stockport.gov.uk 

Quality and Outcomes Manager: Angela Gibbons

My degree is in Early Childhood Studies and my previous role was 14 years in local authority children’s commissioning, managing early help and children’s placements. Prior to this, I had a number of project and event management roles for national organisations including National Day Nurseries Association, Childline/NSPCC, Co-operatives UK and ADCS. Since joining the team in 2022 I have facilitated the co-production and delivery of regional referrals training to approximately 1300 professionals, created best practice templates in referrals, out of borough consultation and quality assurance. Part of my work also involves meeting with placement providers directly when there are organisational quality concerns and sharing reflective learning.

Email: angela.gibbons@stockport.gov.uk

Contracts and Markets Officer: Sarah Halsall

In my previous role I completed the Minimum Standards assessments for our previously unregulated Supported Accommodation contract. I have continued this theme in my current role, helping providers prepare for regulation and introducing new ways of monitoring. Additionally, I produced the annual provider checklist which has been applied to all the contracts we manage. Contract work has included the introduction of three new lots onto our residential contract: Residential family centres and two new therapeutic lots. Other projects included the development of the Provider portal on the NWADCS website and ensuring we connect regularly with all providers on our contracts via provider meetings.

Email: sarah.halsall@stockport.gov.uk 

Contract and Quality Monitoring Officer: Bella Ryan

I have been with the team for 2 years now, and since coming back from maternity leave, I have been working with service providers to ensure they continue to meet requirements for regional purchasing system requirements and support workstreams linked to improving quality of provision for young people. I come from a planning and operational background having worked for British Gas for 12 years - entirely out of the world of Children’s Services! I spent 6 years as a national lead Trade Union Officer, dealing with stakeholders of all levels and building real resilience when faced with tough challenges. I am proud to say I achieved a lot of firsts for the region, becoming first female on the Branch Committee and first female Branch President.

Email: bella.ryan@stockport.gov.uk