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Sign in or register for an accountSalford City Council has confirmed that Becky Bibby has been appointed as the new interim Executive Director for Children’s Services. She will begin her new role from Monday 3 February.
She will take up the position following a recent internal recruitment process, with the position being vacated by Melissa Caslake, who has now been appointed as Interim Chief Executive, following the departure of Tom Stannard. Both positions are significant statutory roles, with the appointments bringing continuity to the organisation and ensuring that the council fulfils its statutory responsibilities.
Becky joined Salford City Council in 2009, initially as Education and Childcare Strategy Manager for Children’s Services Early Years. Since then, she has also been Head of Service for Starting Life Well and Helping Families, before her current role as Director for Early Help and School Readiness. Prior to joining Salford City Council, she started her career initially as a Nursery Nurse, before taking up a role in Children’s Services at Tameside Council.
Her focus will now be on achieving UNICEF accredited Child Friendly City status for Salford, guiding the service through possible upcoming inspections and a key piece of work around lobbying for SEND educational provision in the city.
As part of the vision to creating a fairer, greener, healthier and more inclusive city as outlined in the council's corporate plan This is our Salford, there is a commitment to prioritise support for children and young people. This includes a focus on educational improvement and children and young people's development.
Recent activity to support this includes the development of a Literacy Hub, bringing the Dolly Parton Imagination Library to Little Hulton and the new soon-to-be completed Youth Zone. In addition, the council has retained Youth Service provision and the five Salford Family Nurseries it operates, it is currently reviewing its Local Cultural Education Partnerships (LCEP) and is developing a new a sports and leisure strategy for the city, with children and young people at its heart.
Paul Dennett, Salford City Mayor, said: “I’m delighted to welcome Becky into this role. Since joining Salford City Council, she has worked tirelessly to champion the needs of children and young people, with a focus on support for early intervention and prevention for children, young people, and families. She has successfully led integrated locality-based children, young people and families’ resources and functions that deliver effective early help and early years services across the city.
She has led the improvements to Salford Families Nurseries and plays a key role in our ambition to become a UNICEF accredited Child Friendly City. She is also an integral part of the management team which received a successful OFSTED inspection, with the service being rated as ‘good’ with ‘outstanding’ leadership and care leaver support.
Melissa Caslake, Interim Chief Executive at Salford City Council added “Becky has a great affinity with the council, the city and its children and young people. with over 15 years of experience and service to our city, she brings a wealth of knowledge to the position and an understanding of the continued work required to deliver quality services to our children and young people as well as the challenges the service faces.”
New Interim Executive Director for Children’s Services, Becky Bibby said “This is a huge honour to be taking up this position and working to support and champion the needs of Salford’s children and young people. I am committed to building on the great work we have already developed across the service, and I look forward to working alongside Melissa Caslake, elected members and with colleagues to ensure we support our city’s youngest and most vulnerable residents.”