Somerset County Council has announced that Dr Rob Hart has been appointed as its new Children’s Services Assistant Director – Inclusion.

Rob has a wealth of experience and will be instrumental in driving forward change in Children’s Services and improving Somerset’s Special Educational Needs and Disability Services (SEND).

Working closely with colleagues in the NHS, and other key partners, Rob will focus on the way services are jointly commissioned, develop consistency across Somerset schools, while ensuring that the Council is providing effective early support.

Rob joins from City of Wolverhampton Council where he occupied the role of Head of Service – Inclusion Support from 2018, having previously been Principal Educational Psychologist for four years.  In addition to having worked as an educational psychologist, Rob is a qualified teacher and has taught across the secondary age range as well as holding a management role within a large comprehensive secondary school.

Councillor Frances Nicholson, Lead Member for Children’s Services at Somerset County Council, said: “Successful support for children and families means all partners working together to provide consistently good services, so this is a key appointment for the Council and for the local area’s improvement journey. 

“And it’s a key appointment for Somerset’s children and their families as we all work to make sure the county really is a place where every child is included and enabled to reach their potential whatever their needs. 

“I would like to take the opportunity to publicly welcome Rob into the role and I look forward to working with him to drive this important portfolio, particularly with the amount of rapid improvement work taking place, to provide services that meet the needs of all children, young people and families in Somerset and to improve lives.”

About his new role, Rob said: “I’m committed to inclusion, overcoming barriers and extending opportunities for all children and young people, whatever their needs, differences or circumstances. I have been able to progress this in a challenging urban environment by working in partnership with families, health, care, schools and education colleagues. I’m delighted to have been appointed within what I understand was a very competitive process and very much look forward to continuing my work in Somerset.”

Rob takes up the role on Monday 8 March.

ENDS