The frequent leadership changes in Middlesbrough Council’s children’s services department have been criticised by councillors following the departure of its corporate director after approximately a year in the role.
Members of Middlesbrough Council were notified by email on Thursday, 5 November, that corporate director of children’s services Annabel Bates had left the authority, prompting concerns over a lack of stability.
The Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) understands that temporary cover arrangements are in place through service directors in children’s services, while an interim corporate director is expected to be confirmed shortly.
An Ofsted inspection in June this year found that all areas of Middlesbrough’s children’s services required improvement, with a “churn of leadership” identified as a concern.
Months earlier, the council’s “front door” children’s services were also criticised by Ofsted following a focused visit in December 2025.
Councillors raise concerns over leadership stability
Conservative Cllr David Coupe described the turnover in children’s services as “unbelievable, we just can’t seem to get anybody”.
He added: “It just appears to be a revolving door, I think we need stability in Middlesbrough Council, I have nothing against the person personally. But we need someone to come into Middlesbrough’s children’s services who is prepared and able to stay for a good period of time, to help guide us in the direction we need to be.”
He highlighted the issue in the context of Middlesbrough being rated as the most challenging place to grow up as a child, according to The Childhood Lottery report.
Independent Cllr Joan McTigue said: “Bearing in mind what the taxpayers paid out for previous post holders, how did the situation become so dire, going millions over budget every year and with little or no improvement to show for that. Why is the current post holder leaving after a mere 12 months in post?”
A five-figure payout given to a departing chief of children’s services in 2020 was criticised by councillors at the time.
Children’s care continued to be the main area of council overspending in 2025/26, reporting an overspend of £7.455m on top of its budget of £57.791m.
Cllr McTigue added: “That department now has nobody steering the ship, not a good situation. Having no real leader does nothing for staff morale, in what we all know are stressful roles.”
She said the previous director of the department “didn’t stay for long”.
Joe Tynan became executive director of children’s services at Middlesbrough Council in October 2023, leaving in July 2025.
Cllr McTigue added: “There’s something going wrong with regards to children’s services.”
She also said councillors deserved more information, adding: “we’re entitled to know why [Ms Bates left]”.
A Middlesbrough Council spokesman said: “Annabel Bates joined the council in October 2025 as corporate director of children’s services.
“She led the council through two inspections. The Ofsted inspection in June 2026 noted how ‘strategic planning and decision-making’ was improving under her leadership. Inspectors also said, ‘clearer priorities and expectations were beginning to drive more consistent practice’.
“Ms Bates has now left the council. Interim cover arrangements will be confirmed shortly.”
