Appointments in Lambeth Together and our partners

Strategic Director of Children’s Services at Lambeth Council

Merlin Joseph has been appointed as Strategic Director of Children’s Services at Lambeth council.

Merlin started in Lambeth on March 18 and recently completed her posting as Interim Director of Children’s Services at Oldham Borough Council where she led on the integration of Children’s Services, Education, Skills and Early Years following the recent separation of Directors of Adult and Children’s Social Services at the authority. She also spearheaded a new baseline of practice in line with Ofsted requirements, in advance of their inspection.

She has held senior and strategic director roles leading for children and young people at Kirklees MBC, Dudley MBC and London Borough of Hillingdon.

In those roles, she has been responsible for leading significant turn-around in performance, delivering genuinely transformational change and extensive work with regulators and national networks.

Director of Commissioning and Community Safety, Children’s Services

We are delighted to share that Abi Onaboye has been appointed to the post of Director of Commissioning and Community Safety, Children’s Services. This is a joint appointment between the CCG and the Council. It is the outcome of a selection process with a strong field of candidates and which involved children and young people, Council Cabinet and CCG Governing members, and key partners.

Abi was Head of Strategy, Policy and Commissioning (and also Interim Head of Early Help Services) in Islington Council. She led on a wide range of programmes in Islington including in relation to domestic abuse, prevention and early intervention and children’s social care. Abi has previously worked in Greenwich and also in Lambeth where she held the role of Quality Assurance Manager in the YOS and Young and Safe Operations Manager. Abi worked across probation and the police before moving to work in local government.

Her appointment is excellent news for Lambeth; she will bring high quality leadership, and very extensive and relevant knowledge and expertise to this key Council and CCG role. Abi has demonstrated that she is a very effective and innovative senior leader who has managed and delivered on a range of complex programmes across children’s services, commissioning, housing, serious youth violence and prevention and early intervention. She will bring to Lambeth her knowledge and enthusiasm for improving outcomes for children, families and communities.

Director of Integrated Care Business Unit at Guy’s and St Thomas’

Sarah Austin has joined Guy’s and St Thomas’s to lead the new Integrated

Care Strategic Business Unit after the departure of Angela Dawe and Sue Bowler. Sarah joins from Solent NHS Trust. Sarah’s appointment will bring a strong contribution to Guy’s and St Thomas’, Lambeth Together, as well as to the South East London health and care system.

Healthwatch Regional Director for South East London (SEL)

Healthwatch are pleased to announce Folake Segun as South East London Healthwatch Director. As the local Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) have been merged into regional CCGs, with Lambeth CCG becoming part of a new South East London CCG, Folake will work to ensure that the six Healthwatch across the region have a joint impact to ensure local people’s views and needs are represented. You can find out more here.

Assistant Director – Integrated Commissioning, Mental Health

David Orekoya has been appointed to the role. David was the Lead Commissioner for Health Improvement in Lambeth holding a wide ranging portfolio. A social worker by background and a member of the Mental Health Tribunal panel David brings a wide range of skills and experience to the post and I’m sure you will welcome and support him as he moves into his new role.

This is a joint post working across the CCG and Lambeth Council and David  will have responsibility for providing commissioning and strategic leadership within the Living Well Network Alliance working closely with Alliance partners to ensure delivery against the locally agreed outcomes framework working closely with people using services and their carers, and other key partners, as well as other non-alliance and carers services.

We would also like to take the opportunity to thank Denis O’Rourke for all his hard work, vision and sheer determination over the years in the role.  He leaves a legacy that he and Lambeth can be rightly proud of.