Somerset County Council has appointed a new permanent Director of Children’s Services.

Julian Wooster is currently the Director of Children’s and Adults’ Services at Portsmouth City Council and will take up his new role in Somerset in the spring.

Cllr John Osman, Leader of Somerset County Council, said: “Nothing is more important than the safety and wellbeing of our children, so we’ve been searching far and wide for the right person to lead our children’s services on a permanent basis.

“It’s well known that there is a national shortage of Directors of Children’s Services so I am particularly delighted with the appointment we have made.

“Julian was an outstanding candidate with a proven track record and we look forward to welcoming him to Somerset.”

Mr Wooster will take over from Rose Collinson who has been filling the post of DCS on a temporary basis since November.