Merton Council has appointed Beverley Hendricks as its new Executive Director for Children, Lifelong Learning and Families.  Beverley will lead Merton’s Ofsted Outstanding rated children’s services and moves from Haringey Council where she is Assistant Director for Safeguarding and Social Care.   

Beverley replaces Jane McSherry who is retiring after more than 25 years’ dedicated service in local government, nine of which have been in Merton. In her time at Merton, Jane has created a directorate that is both stable and high-achieving, and founded on a bedrock of compassionate, ethical and inclusive leadership.   

The Executive Director for Children, Lifelong Learning and Families (also known as Director for Children’s Services – DCS) is a statutory role and is the strategic and operational lead for Children’s Social Care; the council’s innovative Youth Participation team; its Education services to its family of Merton schools; lifelong learning; and its network of creative and ambitious partnership relationships, through which it delivers the best services to the borough’s children, young people, and families.     

Beverley said: “Much of my early years was spent in Merton. The connection has been sustained through family, and my values align with the council’s guiding principles that services are not built on policy directive alone but the willingness to listen, and, where possible, respond to the needs of residents by working positively in partnership with other agencies.”  

Beverley joined Haringey in March 2019 as Assistant Director for Safeguarding and Social Care. In her career, spanning some 20 years, Beverley was Head of Service, where she worked alongside a private sector housing company to design bespoke accommodation for care leavers, young people on the edge of remand, and children and young people with autism and complex needs.  

Cllr Ross Garrod, Leader of Merton Council, said: “The council’s mission is to ensure Merton is a place where children and young people feel they belong, stay safe and can thrive, delivered by a service that puts children’s voices at the heart of everything it does.   

“Beverley’s passion for this vision and our borough has really shone through. I know that she will be a fantastic new leader of the service and continue its long-term improvement journey.”  

Hannah Doody, Chief Executive of Merton Council, said: “I am delighted to welcome Beverley to Merton. She has a wealth of experience in working closely with children and young people, understanding their needs, listening to their views, and achieving positive outcomes.  

“The Executive Director for Children, Lifelong Learning and Families is an incredibly important role, and I am confident Beverley will ensure we continue to provide the very best care for our borough’s children, young people and families.”