The Association of Directors of Children’s Services (ADCS) has published its annual directors of children’s services (DCS) update 2026, which draws on data from the Association’s membership year 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2026.

ADCS has gathered and recorded detailed information about changes in post-holders of the statutory DCS role since the Association was established in 2007. The update is also a record of the number of directors who hold both statutory roles of DCS and director of adult social services, referred to in this report as ‘twin hat’. This report offers some year-on-year comparisons, several of which date back to 2007, to highlight trends and patterns over time and patterns of change. The key headlines are as follows:

• DCS turnover continues to fall, with fewer LAs experiencing a change in post-holder than in recent years. In 2025/26, 35 of 153 LAs reported a change in DCS, down from 39 in 2024/25 and 49 in 2023/24, indicating a continued trend towards greater stability across the sector.
• Average tenure is increasing, with DCSs now servicing almost four and half years on average when accounting for cumulative experience across authorities. This reflects improving retention over the period in which RIIAs have been developed, suggesting that sector led support is helping leaders remain in post for longer.
• Succession planning is strengthening, with a steady pipeline of assistant directors stepping into DCS roles. The appointment of 20 first-time permanent DCSs this year indicates that internal progression is working effectively to sustain the leadership capacity currently needed.
• Questions remain around local government reorganisation and capacity, particularly in relation to how structural change may impact leadership capacity, continuity, stability, and the resilience of children’s services leadership in the long term.

Ann Graham, ADCS President, said:

"Children's services leadership is in one of the strongest positions since ADCS was formed. With just 35 of 153 local authorities experiencing a change in DCS post-holder in 2025/26, and the average tenure for a DCS increasing, these are welcome trends. It is interesting to also note that the number of 'twin hat' arrangements has fallen to just 10 - the lowest since ADCS was established in 2007.

“This overall picture and trend is good news; consistent, experienced leadership allows services to build stronger relationships, embed long-term improvement, and respond more effectively to complex and changing need. Most importantly, it provides continuity for children, young people and families who rely on trusted systems and stable support at critical moments in their lives.

"It is particularly encouraging to see succession planning working as it should. Of the 20 new permanent DCS appointments in 2025/26, the overwhelming majority came from assistant directors, many stepping up from within their own authority. That speaks to a pipeline that is maturing, and to a sector that is increasingly investing in its own future leaders.

“Diversity across the leadership of the sector is improving over time but there is more to do. Our current data does not capture the full cohort of DCSs, so while we do not yet have a fully complete picture, it provides a valuable indication of where further progress is needed to encourage and support people from a wider range of backgrounds into leadership roles in children’s services.

"Despite the strong and stable picture set out in this year’s report, it is important to be clear about the challenges that lie ahead. Local government reorganisation will undoubtedly create turbulence in the leadership landscape in the coming years, while also demanding more leaders step forward into not only the DCS role, but other roles that are critical to the success of children’s services. ADCS will continue to support our members as we have always done, however, LGR is one element of a demanding landscape of public sector reform, much of which is aimed at or touches on children’s services, and the capacity pressures of ADCS members are significant and growing.”

ENDS

The Association of Directors of Children's Services (ADCS) Ltd is the professional leadership association for Directors of Children's Services and their senior management teams in England.