City of York Council director leaves for Edinburgh role

Amanda Hatton, York’s Corporate Director of People, is departing to become Director of Education and Children’s Services with City of Edinburgh Council.

The Council thanked the director, adding that she had made significant improvements to York's children’s services and adult social care.

She will formally leave the Council on October 31.

City of Edinburgh’s Full Council voted to approve the appointment on Thursday, September 23.

Meanwhile City of York Council has already started the recruitment process to find the right Director of People to continue improving services for residents.

Interviews have been held this week for an interim Director of Children’s Service, while the advert for a permanent replacement will be published in the next couple of weeks.

The Council said this decision will create an additional cost but hopes it will put the necessary staff in place to continue supporting young people and their families.

Councillor Ian Cuthbertson, Executive Member for Children, Young People and Education, said: “Amanda leaves both Children’s and Adult’s Services moving strongly in the right direction, delivering better services for young people, families and residents across the city.

“Over the last three years, we’ve made great progress in making York one of the best places in the country to grow up. We’ve maintained exceptionally high standards in schools, despite receiving one of the lowest levels of funding in the country, and have made significant improvements in key services, such as those we deliver for children with special educational needs and disabilities.

“I’d like to thank Amanda for her contribution as Director for People and more recently, for her work in responding to the unprecedented challenges posed by the pandemic, helping to ensure young people, families and vulnerable adults receive the support they need. We wish her well in her new role and in the future.

“Given the critical importance of the People Directorate, we will be working proactively to recruit to vacant roles and ensure that interim measures are in place so the service can continue to build on recent achievements.”

Meanwhile Ian Floyd, Chief Operating Officer, said: “It has been fantastic to work with Amanda over nearly three years. She has been a critical member of the council’s senior management and has in particular improved the quality of children’s services.

“Whilst Amanda’s departure will obviously be a loss, we are moving swiftly to replace her and will implement interim arrangements pending the appointment of her replacement to ensure services continue to be provided effectively and we meet our statutory requirements. Interviews are already planned for the interim arrangements. A full report providing assurances will be presented to Staffing Matters & Urgency Committee in early October ”

Ms Hatton said her time in York had been "an incredible journey" and thanked residents.

The director said: “It’s been an incredible journey in York. I’ve been privileged to work with a talented team dedicated to giving the very best possible care to residents, even when faced with the unique challenges of the past 18 months.

“I’d like to thank each and every one of them for welcoming me into the city, being open to change and doing whatever it takes to keep improving services for residents.

“We will all reflect on, and remember, this pandemic for many years to come. My memories will be leading a team which has acknowledged, owned and ultimately met the challenge to rapidly improve key services against an extremely difficult backdrop. I will especially miss working with the inspirational young people in Show me I matter, Show me I still matter and Speak Up Youth.

“As a result, services for the city’s most vulnerable children are greatly improved and the team has the experience and momentum to continue the improvement journey.”