My friend Sarah Caton, who has died aged 51 of lung cancer, led the Association of Directors of Children’s Services, and its predecessor, for 19 years. A fearless and influential leader, she was a tireless advocate for children’s rights and children’s services, and although her work was unseen by the public, it was quite literally life changing.
Born Sarah Brierley in Oldham, she attended Crompton House school, where she became head girl. A keen reader, she was the first in her family to go on to higher education, studying English literature at Oxford Polytechnic (now Oxford Brookes University) and graduating in 1993. She was elected as president of the student union before becoming head of student recruitment at her alma mater.
There she met Dave Caton, and after getting married they returned north to support Sarah’s mother, who was receiving treatment for cancer. She worked as an administrative consultant for universities and higher education publishers and undertook a master’s in literature at the University of Salford.
In 2001 Sarah became the first assistant general secretary of the Society of Education Officers, which later became the Association of Directors of Children’s Services (ADCS). Then, as chief officer, she helped to make the organisation into an influential and nationally respected voice for children’s services, supporting each of the 15 presidents of the Association who served while she was there – myself included - by building lasting friendships with us all.
The value of Sarah’s guidance and support cannot be overstated; she brought important continuity to this work, and her connections were unrivalled. She was also a sounding board for senior government officials and policymakers across Whitehall. When she had to step aside due to her diagnosis of cancer in late 2021 she received a heartfelt letter from the education secretary, Nadhim Zahawi, recognising her contribution to children’s lives over the course of her career.
Perhaps Sarah’s most enduring challenge was to try to help to find a better way of supporting vulnerable children who arrive in the UK alone as asylum seekers. Here she ensured the needs of children were never forgotten. and her personal relationship with ADCS members across the country helped to avert crisis after crisis on the south coast as the numbers of arrivals peaked during the summer months. During the early stages of the Covid-19 pandemic she also worked to secure free school meals and laptops for vulnerable children and young people.
Sarah always worked very hard and had a no-nonsense approach, but she had a great zest for life, a big smile, and an ability to outlast everyone at the bar.
Her marriage to Dave ended in divorce in 2011. She is survived by her brother, Kevin, and sister, Emma.
