Adults’ and Children Executive Director to retire after 13 years
West Sussex County Council Executive Director of Adults’ and Children services John Dixon is retiring at the end of the year, after 13 years in charge.
John’s career at West Sussex County Council began in 1997 when he was appointed Director of Social Services. In recent years he has been Director of Adults’ Social Services and then Executive Director for Adults’ and Children as well as Deputy Chief Executive.
He started his social work career as a residential worker in a therapeutic community for drug addicts, the Cranstoun Project, in Surrey. He then qualified as a probation officer and worked in Surrey for seven years before moving to Surrey County Council’s Social Services and heading up their County Youth Offender Team.
John was Head of Commissioning and Deputy Director at Surrey Social Services before coming to West Sussex County Council.
He said: “There have been many changes over the years in social services nationally and within West Sussex. I’ve worked with a fantastic team and will miss my colleagues in the Council and in partner organisations, and the residents who’ve benefited from our service over the years.”
Cabinet Member for Adults’ Services Peter Catchpole said: “John has provided outstanding leadership and he will be sorely missed. He leads a strong team, proven by our good reputation nationally for social services.”
Lead Cabinet Member for Children’s Services Peter Griffiths said: “There have been many challenges and changes over the years for social services. John and his team have tackled all these with great dedication and we have a service residents can be proud of.”
A highlight of John’s career was when he was appointed President of the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services (ADASS) in 2008. The organisation represents directors of adult social services in local authorities in England and works closely with the Government on national issues.
John said: “West Sussex has benefited greatly from being represented in the national arena. One of our biggest achievements has been the introduction of self-directed support, that the County Council helped to pilot and is now being rolled out nationally.
“I believe the personalisation approach we have helped to pioneer in West Sussex will continue to shape national thinking and I am pleased that it is being strongly supported by the new government.”
The County Council will look at the best way to replace John’s position over the next two months.
Sign up to the Crawley Happy Times for all the latest news.
