Medway Council has appointed a new director of children and adults services.

Ian Sutherland, who has been working in the role on an interim basis, will take up the post immediately.

He will be responsible for wide ranging services covering children’s social care and education, including safeguarding, services for looked after children, children with disabilities and special educational needs and youth services.

In adult social care, Mr Sutherland will oversee the safeguarding, care and support services for vulnerable adults and their carers, as well as mental health and disability services.

Mr Sutherland was appointed deputy director of adult services in 2015 and has previously worked as director of children’s services and social work at the South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust in Northern Ireland.

He became interim director after Barbara Peacock left the role to join Croydon Council in May last year.

Mr Sutherland was born in Northern Ireland but lived in Aylesford and went to school in Maidstone. He has worked in social services since 1982 and qualified as a social worker in Nottingham in 1986. He now lives in South East London with his wife, Ruth.

“These are exciting times for people’s services in Medway,” Mr Sutherland said. “We are engaged in a period of ambitious change in people’s services and are continuing to drive forward programmes of improvement across the authority and with our partners. I want to ensure that children and adults can access the support and services they need to promote their wellbeing and independence.”

Neil Davies, chief executive of Medway Council, said: “I look forward to continuing to work with Ian as he moves into the permanent role of director of children and adults.

“His wealth of experience puts him in good stead to steer the directorate and help to ensure we’re delivering the very best services to residents.”