List of Agency Decision Makers, Designated Managers and Nominated Officers
Scope of this chapter
Designated Managers are managers who have delegated authority to approve certain decisions or who must be notified in certain circumstances. Click on the manager/topic required for further information.
Related guidance
- Delegation of Authority to Foster Carers and Residential Workers
- Delegated Authority Document for appropriate decision making in the Children's Safeguarding and Family Support Division.
Post title: Operations Manager, Adoption Central England
Contact details: Jemma Fordham
E-mail: jemmafordham@aceadoption.com
Post title: Operations Manager, Adoption Central England
Contact details: Jemma Fordham
E-mail: jemmafordham@aceadoption.com
The manager who can authorise the level of adoption support to be provided to children, adopters (including financial support) and their family or birth family members.
Post title: Operations Manager, Adoption Central England
Contact details: Jemma Fordham
E-mail: jemmafordham@aceadoption.com
The Agency Decision Maker who makes decisions on fostering matters (on the basis of recommendations of the Fostering Panel).
Post title: Head of Service Fostering, Adoption, Home Finding
Contact details: Robina Khan
The Agency Decision Maker who makes decisions on all adoption matters (some of which will be made on the basis of a recommendation of the Adoption Panel).
Post title: Service Director Safeguarding and Family Support
Contact details: Rachel Gillott
Post title: Head of Service – Court and Child Protection via Legal Gateway
Contact details: Denyse Ratcliff
The manager who can authorise the final Care Plan to be taken before the Court within Care Proceedings.
Head of Service which holds responsibility for the child
Post title: Head of Service – Court and Child Protection
Contact details: Denyse Ratcliff
E-mail: Denyse.Ratcliff@herefordshire.gov.uk
Post title: Head of Service Looked After Children
Contact details: Julie Mepham
The manager who can authorise the initiating of Care Proceedings.
Post title: Head of Service - Court and Child Protection
Contact details: Denyse Ratcliff
The manager who can authorise the change of name of a Looked After Child.
Head of Service which holds responsibility for the child
Post title: Head of Service - Court and Child Protection
Contact details: Denyse Ratcliff
E-mail: Denyse.Ratcliff@herefordshire.gov.uk
Post title: Head of Service Looked After Children
Contact details: Julie Mepham
Post title: Head of Service - Court and Child Protection
Contact details: Denyse Ratcliff
The manager who can authorise the suspension or termination of contact between a Looked After child and his or her parents (subject to the Court's approval after 7 days for children on Emergency Protection Orders, Interim Care Orders or Care Orders).
Post title: Head of Service - Court and Child Protection
Contact details: Denyse Ratcliff
E-mail: Denyse.Ratcliff@herefordshire.gov.uk
Post title: Head of Service Looked After Children
Contact details: Julie Mepham
The senior manager who should be notified in the event of death or serious injury to a child.
Post title: Director of Childrens Services
Contact details: Darryl Freeman
E-mail: Darryl.Freeman@herefordshire.gov.uk
Post title: Service Director Safeguarding and Family Support
Contact details: Rachel Gillott
The manager who can authorise a child becoming Looked After.
Post title: Head of Service - Court and Child Protection
Contact details: Denyse Ratcliff
E-mail: Denyse.Ratcliff@herefordshire.gov.uk
Post title: Head of Service Looked After Children
Contact details: Julie Mepham
E-mail: Julie.Mepham@herefordshire.gov.uk
Post title: Head of Service Mash and Assessment
Contact details: Christine Wellington
Oversight of education safeguarding, admissions and school placement
Post title: Head of Learning and Achievement
Contact details: Alison Naylor
The manager who can authorise an application for an Emergency Protection Order.
Post title: Head of Service - Court and Child Protection
Contact details: Denyse Ratcliff
E-mail: Denyse.Ratcliff@herefordshire.gov.uk
Post title: Head of Service Mash and Assessment
Contact details: Christine Wellington
The manager who can authorise the placement of a Looked after child outside England and Wales.
Head of Service which holds responsibility for the child:
Post title: Head of Service - Court and Child Protection
Contact details: Denyse Ratcliff
E-mail: Denyse.Ratcliff@herefordshire.gov.uk
Post title: Head of Service Looked After Children
Contact details: Julie Mepham
The manager who can authorise placements of Looked After children with external providers of residential care or foster carers from an independent fostering agency.
Post title: Service Director Safeguarding and Family Support
Contact details: Rachel Gillott
The manager who can approve a Pathway Plan.
Post title: Service Manager, Children in Care and Care Leavers
Contact details: Stacie Lane
The manager who can authorise appointments to the Central List of Fostering Panel members
Contact details: Dr S Arun
Post title: Head of Service Looked After Children
Contact details: Julie Mepham
The manager who can authorise a passport application for a Looked After child.
Head of Service which holds responsibility for the child:
Post title: Head of Service - Court and Child Protection
Contact details: Denyse Ratcliff
E-mail: Denyse.Ratcliff@herefordshire.gov.uk
Post title: Head of Service Looked After Children
Contact details: Julie Mepham
The manager who can authorise an application for a Placement Order.
Post title: Service Director Safeguarding and Family Support
Contact details: Rachel Gillott
Post title: Service Director Safeguarding and Family Support
Contact details: Rachel Gillott
The manager who can approve assessments of private foster carers, impose requirements on private foster carers or decide to prohibit someone from acting as a private foster carer.
Post title: Head of Service Fostering, Adoption, Home Finding
Contact details: Robina Khan
The manager who can authorise:
A placement of a Looked After child in secure accommodation for up to 72 hours without a Secure Accommodation Order; and/or
An application for a Secure Accommodation Order; and/or
A child's continued secure placement on the recommendation of the Secure Accommodation Review Panel; and/or
Applications to renewal Secure Accommodation Orders on the recommendation of the Secure Accommodation Review Panel.
Post title: Director of Childrens Services
Contact details: Darryl Freeman
The manager who can authorise the level of special guardianship support to be provided, including financial support to special guardians.
Head of Service which holds responsibility for the child:
Post title: Head of Service - Court and Child Protection
Contact details: Denyse Ratcliff
E-mail: Denyse.Ratcliff@herefordshire.gov.uk
Post title: Head of Service Looked After Children
Contact details: Julie Mepham
Post title: Virtual School Head Teacher for Vulnerable Children
Contact details: Joanna Chick
Last Updated: January 14, 2025
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