The Association of London Directors of Children's Services, ALDCS, began in April 2006. Its membership consists of London Boroughs' Directors of Children's Services, and it is taking forward work previously done by the Association of London Chief Education Officers (ALCEO) and the child care work of the Greater London Association of Directors of Social Services (GLADSS).

The Association exists to:

a) initiate and influence developments in the policy and practice of children’s services secured or provided by local authorities in London;

b) provide a network and framework for the exchange and sharing of ideas, good practice and views on education and young people’s care practice, leadership and services;

c) explore, devise, share and disseminate innovative approaches to raising standards throughout education and children’s care services, including universal, targeted and specific services;

d) develop pan-London approaches to service delivery contributing to efficient use of boroughs’ resources and positive and equitable outcomes for children;

e) provide opportunities for the professional development of its members;

f) promote professional development of other local authority children’s services staff, with a particular focus on senior management and leadership;

g) contribute to the work of London organisations having an impact on outcomes for London’s children, including GOL, ALG, GLA, London PCTs / SHAs, police and probation services, DfES, LSC;

h) work in partnership with further and higher education, London youth services, information advice and guidance services to ensure effective transitions for young people leaving school;

i) contribute to national and international educational organisations, and particularly to the work of Confed, ADECS and ADSS;

j) provide induction and mutual support for its members.