Jackie’s working life has focused upon services for children, young people and their families and has included working at the front line through to senior management roles within both central and local government. She has a breadth of experience in management, delivery and policy development at both central and local government level.
From a background in social work Jackie went on to become Head of Children’s Services with North Tyneside Council until she joined the cross-departmental Sure Start Unit in 1998. As Deputy Director in the unit, Jackie was responsible for all disadvantaged area programmes including Sure Start local programmes and latterly, developing and implementing children’s centres' policy. Recently, she headed the Early Childhood Division.
Jackie previously had strong associations with the Government Office network through her management of Sure Start and Children’s Fund regional teams, which are based in Government Offices.
She took up her new post as Director of the Children and Learners Group on 1 August 2005.
