Melissa has over 25 years experience in local government, in senior leadership roles including Director of Childrens services and as interim chief executive. She also worked at national level delivering improvements to safeguarding for adults and children in the Church of England during the IICSA inquiry. Melissa has a broad track record of delivering better outcomes for families across education, social care and Send, including the recent development of Child Friendly Salford. Prevention and early support is at the heart of her vision and values in local government, including creating change through integration, partnership, co-production and a relentless focus on outcomes for residents.