Jails chief Narey to head Barnardo’s

Jails chief Narey to head Barnardo’s Barnardo’s has chosen the
government’s prisons and probation head, Martin Narey, as its new
chief executive.

Narey, chief executive of the National Offender Management Service
(Noms), will take the post even though he has no background in
children’s services.

However, his appointment has been warmly received in social
care.

John Coughlan, chair of the Association of Directors of Social
Services’ children and families committee, said: “He’s obviously an
extremely competent person who’s going to bring great skills to
Barnardo’s.”

There will be speculation that Noms’s troubled short history will
have played a part in his decision. The organisation was
established last year as a result of the prison and probation
services merging and has faced a barrage of opposition,
particularly from probation union Napo.

But Narey said: “Improving the life chances of offenders, most of
them young people, has been my life for 23 years. I now have a
unique opportunity to contribute to the vital work of Barnardo’s in
improving the life chances of all young people.”

He will succeed Roger Singleton, who retires at the end of the
year.

More from Community Care

Comments are closed.