NEW DIRECTOR APPOINTED
S
outhwark Council is pleased to announce it has appointed David Quirke-Thornton as its new Strategic Director of Children’s and Adults Services.
Mr Quirke-Thornton will join Southwark in the autumn from his previous role as Deputy Director, Children’s and Adult Services, at Medway Council. He has 20 years experience working in social care for local authorities including Medway and Hertfordshire County Council. Before joining local government, David worked for various organisations including the NHS in delivery of services for members of the community with learning disabilities and mental health issues. Leader Cllr Peter John, said: “We are delighted to welcome David to our team. He brings with him a wealth of experience in the challenging world of social care and I am sure he will prove to be a valuable asset to the council.”
By Peter Chaste David said: “I am delighted to be joining Southwark Council. Colleagues have achieved much already and I am proud to be taking up this leadership role. There are many challenges ahead and an ambitious programme of work to ensure that every Southwark resident and family benefit from the opportunities being created. “I look forward to working with schools, partners and the local voluntary sector to ensure that we achieve our very best potential.” Mr Quirke-Thornton will take over the role vacated by Ms Romi Bowen who recently retired from the council.
Interesting fact: Before graduating from South Bank University in London and the University of Lancaster, David attended St. Patrick’s College Maynooth - Ireland’s National Seminary and Pontifical University
An apple for the pupils! T
he council is rolling out its offer of free fruit for pupils aged 7-11, building on the existing scheme for infants so that every child who attends a local authority primary school gets fruit daily.
The initiative is a part of the council’s plans to ensure that all children in Southwark get the best start in life possible by addressing their health and its link to their education. In the borough almost half of the local authority primary schools have already signed up, with more expected to join the scheme in the coming weeks, and all 73 primary schools are anticipated to have implemented the plans by the end of the academic year. Cllr Victoria Mills, cabinet member for children and schools said: “We all know that nutrition is a vital part of a child’s day at school. Our offer of free school meals over the last few years have been an important way of tackling the growing food poverty crisis and supporting parents who are finding it increasingly tough to make ends meet in our borough. This extension of a free fruit snack into the programme will we hope continue that work. “With the start of term upon us I am pleased that so many schools are ready to go, and look forward to seeing more and more join across Southwark as the school year progresses.” The new scheme is part of the council’s successful universal free healthy school meals programme which means every child who attends a local authority primary school in Southwark is entitled to a free, hot meal every day - with uptake currently at around 92 per cent (more than double the national average).
For all your information needs visit www.southwarkheads.org.uk