Sally Burlington to bring “invaluable” adult social care experience to her role as CEO of ADASS
Adult social care charity The Association of Directors of Adult Social Services (ADASS) has announced the appointment of Sally Burlington as its new CEO, starting in early November.
Sally is currently Deputy CEO and Director of Policy at the Local Government Association (LGA) and has deep experience of social care issues. Before joining the LGA, she had a wide-ranging career in policy and strategy development in the Civil Service, including six years in HM Treasury and a year at Kent County Council, during which time she reviewed the council’s procurement of social care and negotiated one of the first innovative Local Public Service Agreements with the Government.
She was instrumental in developing the original Sure Start policy and, from 2004 to 2007, led the secretariat for Sir Michael Lyons’ Inquiry examining local government and how it is funded.
Sally joined the LGA in 2012 and has worked closely with ADASS since. ADASS states that her strong appreciation of its purpose, values and ambitions, means she will be well placed to build on recent positive developments at the organisation.
And with a new government bringing fresh plans for the adult social care sector, ADASS believes her experience will be “invaluable” in helping to build its engagement and influencing work to deliver positive outcomes for both its members and the sector more widely.
Anna Hemmings continues as interim CEO until November, supporting the implementation of the recent governance, policy and membership reviews.
Richard Parry, Interim Chair of ADASS, said: “There was a very strong interest in the role, which is a reflection of how ADASS is viewed, and the contribution made by the previous ADASS Chief Executives Cathie Williams and Sheila Norris and, more latterly, Anna Hemmings.
“Sally impressed staff, external partners and ADASS members through the recruitment process with her thoughtfulness and practical ideas to enable ADASS to deliver effectively for our membership. We are very pleased that Sally is joining us at a pivotal point for ADASS as an organisation and the wider sector that we represent”.
Sally said: “I am delighted to be joining ADASS at such an important time for the adult social care sector and for people who draw on care and support. I have loved my time at the LGA and look forward to continuing to work with many brilliant colleagues, building on the huge expertise within ADASS, its membership and wider partners.”
In recent news, the latest annual survey from ADASS revealed that local councils are struggling financially to meet people’s higher-level needs.
