Beleaguered head of social services at Rotherham Council finally quits

The chief of Rotherham children’s services finally stepped down yesterday, three weeks after the publication of a damning report into child abuse in the town.

Joyce Thacker is the fourth senior official to resign in the wake of the investigation, which found there had been ‘serious failings’ by the council and the police in protecting 1,400 victims of grooming gangs. She had clung on to her £115,000-a-year position despite repeated calls to quit.

The council announced she had left her role with immediate effect, five days after she had been put on long-term sick leave.

Mrs Thacker, 56, follows in the steps of three others who have left their jobs –South Yorkshire police and crime commissioner Shaun Wright, Rotherham’s Labour council leader Roger Stone, and council chief executive Martin Kimber.  (more...)

Beleaguered head of social services at Rotherham Council finally quits