Jacqui has worked in youth justice since the Crime & Disorder Act 1998 implementation which formed YOT’s and started her youth justice career in Manchester. She is one of the longest serving Heads of Youth Justice in the country having been Head of Service at Stockport Council for over 21 years, leading youth justice and other adolescent services, including the merger with Complex Safeguarding & Missing from Home. She was also the Community Safety lead for several areas and led on serious violence reduction and youth provision.
Working with the Greater Manchester Combined Authority, she held portfolios on behalf of Greater Manchester Youth Justice, including working with Greater Manchester Police on child-centred policing, leading on children in police custody, and also the Greater Manchester appropriate adult provision.
Jacqui was Chair of the Association of Youth Offending Team Managers (AYM), a sector-based body representing youth justice services across England for 3 years, 2022-2025, and prior to that she was Vice-Chair for 2 years. She remains a member of the AYM Executive: AYM the Association of Youth Offending Team Managers - AYM
Jacqui is a trained peer reviewer and has led several youth justice peer reviews across England and Wales. She has been the representative on a number of national advisory boards, influencing national policy. She is also a member of the YJLC Advisory Board.
Jacqui was appointed to the National Child Safeguarding Practice Review Panel as their ‘criminal justice lead’ in November 2025 for a period of 4 years: Who we are | Child Safeguarding Practice Review Panel
Jacqui has a BSc (Hons) in Social Policy, and then went on to qualify in Social Work in 1999, and holds a DipSW, PGDipSW and Masters in Social Work.
Jacqui was awarded an MBE in the King’s Birthday Honours List 2024 for services to youth justice.