Christine is the former Chief Executive of the Centre for Excellence and Outcomes (C4EO) in Children and Young People’s Services working with every Local Authority in England, Health Services and the Voluntary and Community sectors.
Christine also established and led the previous Government’s ‘Narrowing the Gap’ national programme which identified leading practice in improving outcomes for vulnerable children and young people and helping close the ‘gap’ between advantaged and disadvantaged groups.
She was formerly the Director of Children’s Services, Telford & Wrekin Council (1997–2007) and under her leadership, the Council was awarded Beacon Status for ‘Integrating Children’s Services’ and ‘Early Intervention (Children at Risk)’; Best Council in England (LGC Awards) and Centre of Excellence (Prime Minister’s Delivery Unit).
Previously a teacher, psychologist and Director of Children’s Services, Christine has advised successive British Governments on education, child poverty, safeguarding and early intervention and has also advised the Australian, Netherlands and Russian Governments.
She is currently a member of the Youth Justice Board for England and Wales; is a trustee of the Early Intervention Foundation; a member of the Advisory Board for the Office of the Children’s Commissioner; and chairs two Local Authority Children’s Improvement Boards and an LSCB (Local Safeguarding Children’s Board). She is also leading seminars for Headteachers and their senior teams on Safeguarding in Schools, across all regions in England.
Christine was awarded the CBE in 2005 for ‘an outstanding contribution to education’.