Jackie McHanwell

Head of Division – Children and Learners, GONE, representing Government Office for the North East

Jackie's working career has focussed on services for children and young people. Having qualified as a linguist, Jackie trained as a social worker and carried out front line responsibilities with vulnerable children and young people. She progressed from direct work with children in a number of Local Authorities to management of child protection teams and community social work teams. A move to the voluntary sector followed, setting up and managing a service for young homeless people for Barnardo's and subsequently becoming Assistant Director for Barnardos North East, carrying operational responsibilities and a youth policy portfolio.

Having completed further academic qualifications, Jackie moved to work for the Department for Education and Skills as Regional Children's Fund manager in 2001, and from there transferred to Government Office North East as Head of Youth Policy and Programmes Team, before taking on her current responsibilities.

Jackie's experience of working in a variety of sectors and settings has led to a strong commitment that children and young people in the North East have the capacity to achieve great things for themselves and their communities, and deserve the opportunities and support to be able to make their potential a reality.