Democratic accountability is a defining feature of your role as DASS. You operate within a political environment—serving the public, supporting elected members, and helping shape local priorities and decisions.
This means building constructive relationships with councillors, particularly your cabinet lead for adult social care. Provide clear, timely and balanced advice. Be open about risk and challenge—but also about ambition and opportunity. Sound corporate governance in relation to standing orders and schemes of delegation will help ensure clarity of officer and member roles and relationships.
Your role includes:
- Supporting scrutiny and decision-making with good evidence and insight.
- Building political understanding of adult social care—its complexity, cost and value.
- Framing options, not just presenting problems.
- Helping members hear and respond to people’s lived experience.
Recognise that councillors fulfill different roles - as executive or cabinet lead members, as members of the overview and scrutiny committee or as ‘backbench’ ward representatives. This will call for different styles and approaches.
Work across party lines. Treat all councilors with respect, transparency and professionalism. Remember: they bring democratic legitimacy—and a vital connection to communities.
Support members to understand their role in safeguarding, integration, and budget setting. Provide briefings, induction, and opportunities to visit services and hear directly from people.
Political change is part of the context. Plan for transitions. Build corporate memory. And always maintain your professional integrity.
Ultimately, elected members want what you want—good lives for local people. Your leadership can help make that shared goal a reality.