Stockport Council to support Tameside in children’s services improvement journey

STOCKPORT Council has been chosen as Tameside’s strategic partner to support the authority on its ongoing work to improve children’s services.

Stockport, whose children’s services were rated as “Good” by Ofsted in 2022, will work closely with Tameside from January 2025 – offering 400 days’ worth of support per year over the next three years to help guide its ongoing improvement journey.

The Department for Education and Children’s Commissioner Andy Couldrick interviewed a number of potential strategic partners for the role, with several strong contenders. Neighbouring authority Stockport’s offer was very strong, and will come with the additional support of the wider Greater Manchester family.

The move follows the recent announcement that Jill Colbert OBE has been appointed as the new permanent Director of Children’s Services at Tameside, bringing further stability and expertise to the team.

Tameside Council Executive Leader Cllr Eleanor Wills said: “We welcome this support from our close neighbour Stockport and from our wider Greater Manchester family. The partnership, along with the recent appointment of a permanent director of children’s services Jill Colbert,  is a really positive step in our improvement journey.”

Tameside Council Executive Member for Children’s Services Cllr Teresa Smith said: “This is a great opportunity for us to work closely with a Good rated authority to help us in our vision to build further consistency and resilience, as well as innovation, into our services for children. We will be working closely with our colleagues in Stockport to identify priority areas where they can support us.”

Stockport's Cabinet Member for Children, Families and Education, Cllr Wendy Meikle said: "We are incredibly proud to have been selected by the DfE to partner with Tameside as they continue their improvement journey.

 "Stockport has a long history of successful strategic partnerships and we look forward to what this opportunity will bring for both councils.

"Stockport had the full backing of our colleagues at the GMCA and we will work together to ensure the best outcomes for children.”

ENDS