ADSS and Confed merger backed by most members

Plans to merge part of the Association of Directors of Social Services with the Confederation of Children’s Services Managers, revealed last year, have been supported by almost 80 per cent of the organisations’ members who responded to a ballot.

The merger will form an Association of Directors of Children’s Services by the end of the year. Almost 20 per cent of respondents were against the changes. The response rate was not revealed.

A steering group comprising ADSS and Confed members and staff has been appointed to look at the legal, practical and organisational issues raised by the creation of the new association.

Two further organisations, the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services in England, and ADSS Cymru, representing directors in Wales, are also set to be created from the former ADSS. A separate steering group will look at issues around these.

Further discussions with ADSS members in Northern Ireland are due to take place.