Gladys’ background and experience is predominantly in working with and for children and families within a social care context. She has had experience of commissioning and delivering training and substantial management experience in a variety of roles. She is a qualified nursery nurse and social worker.
In 2001 Gladys was appointed to lead a comprehensive review of early years services across Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council. From 2003 she led a new innovative Early Years Excellence service based around integrated children’s services, amalgamating the former education and lifelong learning staff, social services staff and Sure Start workers. The service became a Children’s Trust Pathfinder in 2004. It now delivers a flagship service operating via a network of 13 Children’s Centres which influences and drives a neighbourhood engagement strategy.
