News

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.