The AWHOCS group consists of heads of children’s services from all local authorities and meets on a quarterly basis (including an annual conference).

As one of our key groups, it is responsible for leading on all aspects of children’s services, formulating the ADSS Cymru responses to policy consultations and articulating the voice of those local authority professional leaders who deliver care and support to children and families across Wales.

For the foreseeable future the work of AWHOCS will be aligned to the work of the Welsh Government’s Ministerial Advisory Group on Improving Outcomes for Children, as the programme is key to AWHOCS and its partners. This important work is scheduled to run for the 2016 – 2021 Assembly term with a variety of workstreams that AWHOCS members will engage with.

ADSS Cymru aims to provide support directly from the business unit and also via our policy groups. If you would like to request or engage ADSS Cymru or any of our policy groups listed below; Please contact them via the email provided E: contact@adss.cymru.

  • AWASH
  • AWHOCS
  • Board of Directors

On receipt of your enquiry, the business unit will establish with the Chair of the relevant policy group if they have the capacity to deal with your request. We will also need to ensure the request aligns with the priorities and strategic objectives of that group and ADSS Cymru.

Jan Coles

Jan Coles

Chair of AWHOCSPowys County Council County HallHead of Children's Services08456 027030
Rhiain Morrlle

Rhiain Morrlle

Vice Chair AWHOCSDenbighshire County CouncilHead of Education and Children's Services01824 708064
Dianne Corrister

Dianne Corrister

Vice Chair AWHOCSMonmouthshire County CouncilHead of Children's Services
Craig Macloed

Craig Macloed

Vice Chair AWHOCSFlintshire County CouncilSenior Manager, Children and Workforce01352 701313
Joanne Llewellyn

Joanne Llewellyn

AWHOCS MemberMerthyr Tydfil County Borough CouncilHead of Children's Social Services
Fon Roberts

Fon Roberts

AWHoCS MemberIsle of Anglesey County CouncilHead of Service for Children's Services01248 750057
Alison Ramshaw

Alison Ramshaw

AWHoCSBlaenau Gwent County Borough CouncilHead of Children's Services
Laura Kinsey

Laura Kinsey

AWHoCS MemberBridgend County Borough CouncilHead of Safeguarding and Assessment01656 642314
Gareth Jenkins

Gareth Jenkins

AWHoCS MemberCaerphilly County Borough CouncilAssistant Director, Children's Services01443 864520
Deborah Driffield

Deborah Driffield

AWHoCS MemberCardiff CouncilAssistant Director of Children's Services02920 873803
Marian Hughes

Marian Hughes

AWHoCS memberGwynedd County CouncilHead of Children and Family Support01286 672255
Keri Warren

Keri Warren

AWHoCS MemberNeath Port Talbot County Borough CouncilHead of Children's Services01639 763327
Natalie Poyner

Natalie Poyner

AWHoCS MemberNewport City CouncilService Manager01633 656656
Caroline Ryan-Phillips

Caroline Ryan-Phillips

Newport City CouncilHead of Prevention and Inclusion
Annabel Lloyd

Annabel Lloyd

Member of AWHoCSRhondda Cynon Taf County Borough CouncilService Director, Children's Services01443 744044
Julie Davies

Julie Davies

AWHoCS MemberCity and County of Swansea CouncilHead of Child and Family Services
Rachel Evans

Rachel Evans

AWHoCS MemberVale of Glamorgan CouncilHead of Children and Young People Services01446 700111
Rhian Thomas

Rhian Thomas

AWHoCS MemberWrexham County Borough CouncilSocial Worker
Suzanne Griffiths

Suzanne Griffiths

AWHoCS MemberCity of Cardiff CouncilDirector of Operations, National Adoption Service Wales02920 873924
Audrey Somerton Edwards

Audrey Somerton Edwards

AWHOCS MemberCeredigion
Tesni Hadwin

Tesni Hadwin

AWHOCS MemberConwy
Darren Mutter

Darren Mutter

AWHOCS MemberPembrokshire
Sharon Powell

Sharon Powell

AWHOCS MemberPowys
Lynette Lovell

Lynette Lovell

AWHOCS MemberPowys
Jacalyn Richards

Jacalyn Richards

AWHOCSTorfaen