Colette has been Director of Children’s Services at Wigan Council since 2020. A qualified social worker since 1998, she has held a range of senior children’s services leadership roles across local authorities and nationally with Cafcass. Her experience spans courts, early help, children’s social care and education. She chairs both NWADCS and the Greater Manchester DCS group and also leads the Regional Care Cooperative for Greater Manchester. Colette is passionate about supporting the workforce and placing children, young people and families at the heart of their work, ensuring the child’s voice and lived experience remain central. This focus has helped her to drive significant improvements in service quality and, most importantly, in children’s lives and their sense of belonging.