Camden shocked by Held’s resignation

Jane Held, director of social services at Camden Council, has
resigned unexpectedly.

Camden councillor Flick Rea, responding to Held’s departure, said:
“It came as a bolt out of the blue. It was a shock and the lead
social services officer is distraught. She was very popular and
highly regarded. Perhaps it was a personality clash.”

Unison said staff were shocked by the news and have only been told
that Held left to “pursue other interests”. It has written to chief
executive Moira Gibb demanding a full explanation as to why Held
left so quickly amid concerns it could be linked to the social
services department’s failure to achieve a three-star rating in
last month’s performance tables.

Held was also co-chairperson of the Association of Directors of
Social Services children and families committee.