Biography
I have been the YOT Manager for Hackney since 2014 and a social worker for more years than I care to remember. I have been AYM’s Executive Member for London since 2016. My work in criminal justice began with 15 years experience as a practitioner and manager in probation. In 1998 I was appointed as England and Wales’ first YOT Manager in the London Borough of Lewisham and set up their first multi-agency YOT partnership. I worked for 10 years at the Youth Justice Board, advising secretaries of state and ministers on youth justice policies. While there I commissioned research and was editor of “The Key Elements of Effective Practice in Youth Justice Notes” series. I returned to frontline work in 2011, to Southwark YOT Gangs Team around the time of the riots. I therefore have the relatively unique experience of having to apply in practice many of the policies I had promoted whilst a senior civil servant. I am very proud of my Irish and Brummie heritage. I recently completed 38 years in criminal justice, the last 23 years in youth justice. I can happily say that keeping children and their communities safe remains one of my passions.
