Biography – Roni Checksfield

Biography

Raised in Wakefield, West Yorkshire, I joined the Army at 18 in 1984 and enjoyed 22 great years working across various theatres and in a multitude of roles. Upon leaving in 2006 I started work as a Senior Youth Worker in Hartlepool, within a very short time I was commissioned to lead the Youth Inclusion Project (YIP) for the local authority. I subsequently applied for the role as YIP Coordinator in 2007/8 and so started my journey with Hartlepool Borough Council and Hartlepool YJS.

Over a period of time the role morphed into all “pre court” matters. I was heavily involved alongside colleagues in designing and piloting Triage in Hartlepool and subsequently rolling it out across Cleveland, and then the initial implementation of the OoCD as the NE rep.  I left the service in 2012 to lead on the Troubled Families programme and then returned again in 2018 as Youth Justice Service Manager, a position I am very proud to hold.

Married for 25 years to Lisa we have 2 wonderful sons, although very active in my early life I tend to enjoy a more sedentary lifestyle now, however still enjoy lots of walking with our dog and unfortunately only watching sport now mainly Rugby Union which both of my sons play.