Jacqui Belfield-Smith MBE
Biography
Jacqui was appointed to the Child Safeguarding Practice Review Panel in November 2025 for a period of 4 years.
Jacqui has worked in Youth Justice since 2000 and has been the Head of Youth Justice at Stockport Council for over 20 years, leading this and other adolescent services, including the merger with Complex Safeguarding. Working with the Greater Manchester Combined Authority, she holds several portfolios on behalf of Greater Manchester Youth Justice. This includes working with Greater Manchester Police on child-centred policing, leading on children in police custody, and the Greater Manchester appropriate adult provision.
Jacqui has been Chair of the Association of Youth Offending Team Managers (AYM), a sector-based body representing youth justice services across England for the past 3 years, up to June 2025. She remains a member of the AYM Executive.
Jacqui is a trained peer reviewer and has led several youth justice peer reviews across England and Wales. She has been the representative on a number of national advisory boards, including the Youth Endowment Fund Strategic Diversion Board. She is currently an advisor for the Youth Justice Legal Centre.
Jacqui was awarded an MBE in the King’s Birthday Honours List 2024 for services to youth justice.