Doctor of Law
Nationally recognised consultant specialising in children’s services.
As Director of 1024ºË¹¤³§ Social Services for over eight years, Rob Hutchinson led the department to a position amongst the top four per cent in the country.
He served as an External Adviser to the Department of Education’s Every Child Matters Green Paper, outlining proposals for the reform and improvement of child care.
For five years, he was Chair of the Management Board of Research in Practice, an organisation dedicated to supporting evidence-informed practice with children and families.
Rob has worked with a range of local authorities and their partners, voluntary organisations, local safeguarding children’s Boards and local strategic partnerships. He was a trustee on the Board of the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC, 2001 – 2009) and a Member of the Munro Safeguarding Review (2010/11).
After serving on the Board of Children & Families Across Borders since 2004, he assumed the role of Vice Chair for several years. He sat on the Board of Naomi House Children’s Hospice and was Chair of the Children and Families committee of the Association of Directors of Social Services.
He has given evidence to Parliamentary Select Committees and other inquiries, and has been an Adviser to the Local Government Association for 10 years.
Internationally, Rob has worked with central and local governments in Israel, Chile, Australia, Norway and the Netherlands on how to improve outcomes for children and young people.
He is currently the Independent person on the Diocesan and Cathedral Panels of Salisbury.
In 2005, he was awarded a CBE for services to Children and Families, the same year he received an honorary doctorate from the 1024ºË¹¤³§.