THE county's director of children, schools and families service is leaving to lead a national drive to improve council services for children.

Ray Shostak has been appointed strategic advisor for education at the Improvement and Development Agency. He will work with the Government and local authorities to improve services.

Hertfordshire County Council's children, schools and families service was set up under Mr Shostak in 2000.

Mr Shostak said:" I would like to thank all of the people in schools and within the department, who work so hard to provide the excellent services for children and families in Hertfordshire.

"Hertfordshire has always tried to put the child at the centre of everything we do and I shall take that with me into my new role."

Mr Shostak, who originally comes from New York, began his career as a teacher at Leggatts School in Watford.

Executive member for children, schools and families Robert Gordon said: "Ray has been a visionary director, both of the education department, where he first joined us as director, and of the new children, schools and families service.

"I am committed to ensuring that our integration of education and social care, which Ray championed, and which has set the standard across the country, will develop and flourish in the coming years."

A successor to Mr Shostak has yet to be appointed.