Justin Russell
Biography
Justin Russell is the Director General for Families Group, taking on the role in October 2023.
Prior to this he was HM Chief Inspector of Probation from June 2019 to September 2023.
Justin’s previous roles in government include:
-
Director General of the Offender Reform and Commissioning Group at the Ministry of Justice where he was responsible for the Prison Safety and Reform Programme
-
Senior Policy Adviser on home affairs in the No10 Policy Unit
-
Head of the Violent Crime Unit in the Home Office where he led the Ending Gang and Youth Violence Programme
-
Director at the Department for Work and Pensions where he was responsible for the Employment and Support Allowance Reform Programme and director for disability employment and support
Director General, Families
The director general is a member of the Department for Education board and attends both the implementation and management committees.
The director general is responsible for:
- children’s social care
- SEND and alternative provision
- early years, childcare, families and analysis
- attendance, exclusion and vulnerable children’s unit
- behaviour
- school food
Previous roles in government
-
Director General, Offender Reform and Commissioning Group