What is Bernie Brown's role?
Bernie is a member of our Senior Leadership Team and has been Director for Children’s and Families since 1 July 2024.
As the Director for Children’s and Families, Bernie is the Statutory Director for Children’s Services and has accountability for all services relating to children and families including:
- Wellbeing
- Social care
- Education
- Early help
- Youth Justice
- Partnerships
- Commissioning
What experience does she have?
Bernie is a qualified social worker who has retained her registration to practice. She has extensive experience of working across children’s services in various local authorities and spent 5 years working in New Zealand as a Social Worker and Family Therapist.
Bernie has held several Assistant Director level posts and prior to arriving in Staffordshire was the Director of Children’s Services for Bolton where over 7 years she led the authority from Requires Improvement to Good, and subsequently retained Good in October 2023 and in June 2024 supported the leadership of the Area SEND inspection securing the top outcome.
Bernie brings vast experience of engaging with children, families and communities, working in a relational way to improve outcomes for all. She is a proactive partner working alongside key strategic leaders across the voluntary sector, health, education, police, probation and all other key partners to have a meaningful impact on the lives of children in Staffordshire. Bernie is a strong advocate for preventative services and the opportunity to support families and communities to support themselves.
Bernie sits on the advisory board of the Children’s Commissioner Dame Rachel de Souza and has also been a member of the board of the Association of the Directors of Social Services.
Bernie welcomes the opportunity to influence and support Staffordshire’s improvement journey and is committed to visiting services across the county and meeting staff and partners to support the ambition and vision to improve outcomes for children.
Direct reports
Bernie’s direct reports are:
- Maria Young - Deputy Director for Children and Families
- Alison Stathers Tracey - Assistant Director Early Intervention and Prevention
- Angela Curran - Head of Service - Integrated Front Door
- Gemma Gerrish - Assistant Director Family Safeguarding
- Vincent Clark - Interim Assistant Director for Family Help and Safeguarding
- Becky Haasch - Service Improvement Lead