Sue Harrison, the executive director of children and families at Birmingham City Council, has officially left her position six months after her last day in the office.
Appointed in 2021, Ms Harrison was responsible for overseeing a £400 million annual budget dedicated to children, families, and schools within the city. Although she ceased working in January, the council only recently confirmed that she remained employed in the role until 12 June 2026.
At the time of her sudden absence in January, the council clarified that it was not due to ill health but declined to disclose the reasons behind her departure. Since then, the council has publicly advertised the permanent role, describing the salary as highly competitive.
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According to Birmingham City Council’s accounts for the financial year ending 31 March 2026, Ms Harrison was the third-highest paid official, receiving an annual salary of £208,057, with additional pension contributions amounting to £56,592, bringing her total remuneration to £264,648. Details of her pay from April until June will be revealed in the forthcoming accounts.
Interim leadership was provided by James Thomas, chief executive of Birmingham Children’s Trust, who temporarily took over responsibility for children’s services following Ms Harrison’s absence.
During Ms Harrison’s tenure, children’s services-largely managed by the children’s trust-achieved a ‘good’ rating from Ofsted after previous years of underperformance. However, a 2025 inspection of Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) services highlighted improvements but noted inconsistencies in the experiences of children with SEND across the city.
Prior to her role in Birmingham, Ms Harrison was director of children’s services in Central Bedfordshire, where there had been concerns raised by parents about the adequacy of SEND provision. Upon leaving Central Bedfordshire to join Birmingham City Council, she received compensation for loss of office totaling £82,707.
Ms Harrison’s appointment came after the resignation of Dr Tim O’Neill, who left to become managing director of children’s services at the charity Action for Children.
A Birmingham City Council spokesperson stated: “We can confirm that Dr Susan Harrison left her role as Executive Director of Children’s and Families on 12 June 2026. We would like to thank Dr Harrison for her enduring commitment to the children and young people of Birmingham and the work she has done during her time with the council. We wish her all the best in the future.
Until a new director is appointed, Stuart Lackenby, Director of Adult Services, alongside James Thomas, Chief Executive of Birmingham Children’s Trust, will undertake the statutory and leadership responsibilities of the Director of Children’s Services role.”