As head of the DWP’s Family Policy Division, Pat has leads on the Department’s wider interests on family policy including the social justice dimension of, building strong families and the prevention of family breakdown, provision for troubled families, and protection for those suffering from domestic violence and the wider issues of family support including early intervention, flexible working, childcare, looked after children, carers and the relationship between work and the modern family.

Areas of particular focus for Pat’s team at present include the Commission on Childcare, the procurement for the Early Intervention Foundation and the Troubled Families Programme.

Prior to taking up this post, Pat has been responsible for youth employment policy and labour market policy for claimants on Jobseekers Allowance. She has a background in service delivery having worked as an operational manager in the former Employment Service.