Portsmouth City Council appoint children’s service boss

Portsmouth has a new man in charge of its children – and he is determined to see them succeed. Julian Wooster has been appointed the director of children’s services at Portsmouth City Council.

His job is to look after everything from education and extra-curricular services to children’s social care and protecting the most vulnerable youngsters in society.

But despite the big task, the 51-year-old said he is passionate about working in Portsmouth.

‘There is such a lot of energy and enthusiasm in the city,’ he said.

‘It is not somewhere people come to and from, like a suburb, it is about the whole of life – people living here, working here. People are passionate about Portsmouth.

‘You get that from the children as well – there is a sense of identity that can help them succeed.’

Joining Portsmouth City Council is a big move for Mr Wooster, who has spent most of his working life in London.