Sir Alan Wood

Founding Chair

Sir Alan has over 40 years’ experience at both local and national level within the children’s sector. In July 2018 it was announced that Alan is the Founding Chair of the What Works for Children’s Social Care.

Previously he has been national President of the Association of Directors of Children Services (ADCS).

In 2016 Alan was appointed to undertake a fundamental review of Local Children Safeguarding Boards including Serious Case Reviews and Child Death Overview Panels. Subsequently the legal framework covering these areas has been amended by an Act of Parliament to implement his recommendations.

Also in 2016 Alan was appointed by the Secretary of State to Chair an Advisory Board to the DfE on the role of local authorities in providing services to children.

Alan was Chief Executive of The Learning Trust (TLT), which delivered all of the statutory education services provided by Hackney Council. In that period, 2002-12, education in Hackney transformed from the worst in the England to one of the highest performing and now receives national recognition for its work.

Between 2006-16 he was the Corporate Director of Children and Young People’s Services in Hackney ensuring the implementation of the nationally acclaimed model of Reclaiming Social Work.

In 2011 Alan was awarded a CBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list for services to education and local government. In 2018 Alan was awarded a Knighthood in the New Year’s Honours list for services to children social care and education.

 

ARTICLES

  • read more about Progress one year on & now for the future!
    Blog

    Progress one year on & now for the future!

    14 November 2018
    The development team has already made great progress, especially in how it has engaged with the sector, there is a way to go to make the impact we’d like to. Having met with a wide range of sector professionals from many different LAs over the past few months we’ve made important strides in getting the […]
  • read more about “Learn and move on – our approach to co-designing research, products and services”
    Blog

    “Learn and move on – our approach to co-designing research, products and services”

    24 July 2018
    One of the clear lessons from the past – and from other What Works Centres – is that publishing evidence is not enough. The biggest challenge is making sure that evidence is actually used to the best benefit of the children, young people and families we ultimately serve. That’s why the Centre is co-creating its […]
  • read more about “We must address the many gaps in the evidence base that we know to exist”
    Blog

    “We must address the many gaps in the evidence base that we know to exist”

    5 July 2018
    I am delighted to have been appointed as the Founding Chair of the What Works Centre for Children’s Social Care. I have worked in children’s services for over 40 years since the mid 1970s. In that time I have seen the fads and ideas about social work practice come and go only to be represented […]
  • read more about “I’m looking forward to coming around to meet with you”
    Blog

    “I’m looking forward to coming around to meet with you”

    5 July 2018
    A vlog from Sir Alan Wood, to complement his blog Hear Alan talk about the priorities of the What Works Centre for Children’s Social Care and how evidence can be got out to the sector as quickly as possible.