Douglas to head up guardians’ body

Anthony Douglas, social services director at Suffolk Council, has
been appointed chief executive of the Children and Family Court
Advisory and Support Service.

Douglas, who takes up the post from 1 September, has worked in
social services for 28 years. An adoptee himself, he was a former
spokesperson on adoption for the Association of Directors of Social
Services and is chair of Baaf Adoption and Fostering. He takes over
from Jonathan Tross, who has spent two years at the helm.

The appointment was welcomed by Alison Paddle, chair of guardian’s
organisation Nagalro. She said Douglas had a great depth of
understanding of child care issues. Harry Fletcher, assistant
general secretary of the National Association of Probation
Officers, said his social work experience was a plus.

“Jonathan TrossÉ didn’t have experience of working with
children at risk. Now hopefully we’ve got someone who has that, and
managerial experience as well,” Fletcher said.