States appoint new Director of Community and Adult Services

Friday 06 July 2018

A social care worker who was awarded an MBE for his services to local government has been appointed Jersey’s new Director of Community and Adult Services on an initial six-month contract.

Derek Law MBE, who began in the sector as a Hampshire social worker in the 1970s, said that he was “delighted and privileged” to be taking on the new role.

States officials said that Mr Law will initially take on the role for half a year, and has been given the title 'Interim'. However, that could be extended. The role is not currently being advertised on the States of Jersey website.

Throughout his career, Mr Law has worked in a variety of regions across the South of England, ranging from Cornwall to the Borough of Greenwich.

During his time working as Corporate Director of Adult and Community Services in North Yorkshire from 2006 to 2011 in which he managed annual budgets of £210million, he secured “excellent” ratings rating from the Care Quality Commission.

Mr Law’s most recent government role was as Interim Director of Adults, Housing and Communities for Southampton City Council in 2016.

From 2011 to date, he has also acted as a private ‘Independent Management Consultant’ under his own company, Derek Law Associates. He is also the Group Chairman of Coastline Housing, a not-for-profit housing association. 

According to Mr Law’s LinkedIn page, the new position, which he has held since June, involves “executive and strategic leadership, transformation, change and operational management of all community and adult services on Jersey.” 

He will be working closely with another new appointment Interim Director General for Health and Community Services, Anthony McKeever, as well as the Managing Director for Health and Community Services, Rob Sainsbury. 

States officials said that this would ensure a more “joined-up and focused” service for adult health and social care on the island after Children’s Services was placed in a new department. It will be overseen by Mark Rogers, who was recruited as Director General of the Department for Children, Young People, Education and Skills.

Mr McKeever commented: “Derek has vast experience of social care at every level, and an impressive record of achievement in several government and health authorities. He will provide much-needed impetus to the improvements we need to make as we modernise our health and community services.” 

Mr Law added: “It is clear from my early days in Jersey that the service has many talented, dedicated and hard-working staff who are passionate about what they do. That is both encouraging and an opportunity for the journey upon which we are about to embark together.” 

Derek Law MBE’s CV 

2016                Interim Director of Adults, Housing and Communities, Southampton City Council 

2014-15           Interim Executive Director of Adults and Older People’s Services, Royal Borough of Greenwich

2012-date       Group Chairman and Non-Executive Director, Coastline Housing Ltd 

2012-16           Non-Executive Director, Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust

2012-14           Non-Executive Director, Devon and Cornwall Probation Trust

2012-14           Associate of the Institute of Public Care, Oxford Brookes University

2011-date       Independent Management Consultant/Director social care and health, Derek Law Associates Limited

2004-11           Corporate Director of Adult and Community Services (Director of Social Services 2004-06), North Yorkshire County Council

Acting Director of Social Services, Cornwall County Council b

1991-2003       Deputy Director of Social Services, Cornwall County Council

1988-91           Assistant Director, Operations Social Services Department, Bedfordshire County Council

1979-88           Team Leader and Area Director (from April 1983) Social Services Department, Derbyshire County Council

1972-79           Professional Social Worker, Social Services Department, Hampshire County Council