SUFFOLK’S search for a new director of children’s and young people’s services has been stepped up with the post being advertised nationally at a salary of up to �126,733.

The post is being advertised in the national trade press in an attempt to appoint a full-time director to a role which has been filled by an interim appointment for the last three years. And if the council is unable to appoint anyone of the right calibre at that salary, it could top it up with a “market forces supplement” of up to �13,000.

A report on the recruitment process shows that the salary being offered by Suffolk is in the lower section of similar education authorities – salaries vary from �182,000 in Essex to �107,000 in Gloucestershire.

If the full salary is paid, it would be in line with other directors’ salaries at Endeavour House. Chief executive Deborah Cadman earns �155,000 a year and the other directors earn between �114,000 and �132,000.

Interim director of children and young people’s services Simon White was paid a total of �183,000 in the last financial year – but this includes all his costs. He has to make his own pension arrangements and is not entitled to any holiday pay or sick pay.

Mr White will be getting a reduced fee from the council during the current financial year.

An attempt to appoint a permanent director of children and young people earlier this year failed because no one of high enough calibre was identified by the authority.

It was decided to re-advertise during the autumn and Mr White was asked to stay on for a few more months – and the process has now restarted. The county is hoping to make a new appointment by the end of November.