A NEW "super director" appointed to look after the borough's children says it is her dream job.

Ms Eleni Ioannides is Bury's first executive director of children's services, covering everything from child protection to schools, libraries to health care.

Currently director of social services, health and housing, she will take on the £92,000-a- year post on April 1.

The post is Bury's response to the Children's Act which, in the wake of scandals like the Victoria Climbie case, requires councils to integrate all services for children.

Ms Ioannides has worked for several councils and came to Bury in 2002 from Swindon, where she was head of children and family services. "I'm grateful for the vote of confidence," she said. "It's a bit of a dream job, the way I always imagined that children's services should look. It will involve health visitors, family planning, social workers, along with Sure Start, Connexions and the youth service, while on the cultural side, libraries and museums.

"There will be multi-agency teams working in and around schools. It's going to be really exciting, bringing everything together to work round the needs of the child and make sure they get the appropriate help at the earliest point."

Other new posts go to David Pritchard (director of learning and culture); Mrs Trish Dawson (director of inclusion and health care); Mrs Judith Longhill (director of social care and safeguarding); and Mrs Pat Horan (adult services).