List of Agency Decision Makers, Designated Managers and Nominated Officers
Scope of this chapter
If you are unable to speak to the Agency Decision Maker, Designated Manager or Nominated Officer:
Contact: Senior Business Support Officer
Email: Mandy.Homes@nortumberland.gov.uk
Amendment
This chapter was updated in May 2025.
The Agency Decision Maker who makes decisions on all adoption matters (some of which will be made on the basis of a recommendation of the Adoption Panel).
Post title: Director for Children, Young People and Families
Contact details:
Victoria McLeod
victoria.mcleod@northumberland.gov.uk
The Agency Decision Maker who makes decisions on fostering matters (on the basis of recommendations of the Fostering Panel).
Post title: Head of Service
Contact details:
Patrick Boyle
Patrick.Boyle@northumberland.gov.uk
Marie Roberts
Marie.roberts@northumberland.gov.uk
The manager who can authorise appointments to the Central List of Adoption Panel members.
Post title: Director for Children, Young People and Families
Contact details:
Victoria McLeod
victoria.mcleod@northumberland.gov.uk
PA: Mandy Holmes
Mandy.holmes@northumberland.gov.uk
The manager who can authorise the level of adoption support to be provided to children, adopters (including financial support) and their family or birth family members.
Post title: Senior Manager, Specialist Services
Contact details:
Laura Cassin
Laura.Cassin@northumberland.gov.uk
The manager who can authorise the final Care Plan to be taken before the Court within Care Proceedings.
Post title: Head of Service
Contact details:
Patrick Boyle
Patrick.Boyle@northumberland.gov.uk
Marie Roberts
Marie.roberts@northumberland.gov.uk
The manager who can authorise the initiating of Care Proceedings.
Post title: Head of Service
Contact details:
Patrick Boyle
Patrick.Boyle@northumberland.gov.uk
Marie Roberts
Marie.roberts@northumberland.gov.uk
The manager who can authorise the change of name of a Cared for Child.
Post title: Executive Director of Children, Young People and Education (DCS)
Contact details:
Audrey Kingham
Audrey.Kingham@northumberland.gov.uk
PA - Mandy Holmes
mandy.holmes@northumberland.gov.uk
The manager who can authorise the suspension or termination of contact between a Cared for child and their parents (subject to the Court's approval after 7 days for children on Emergency Protection Orders, Interim Care Orders or Care Orders).
Post title: Senior Manager, Specialist Services
Contact details:
North and Central Localities:
Alison Dodds
Alison.Dodds01@northumberland.gov.uk
South East/West Locality:
Katie Scovell
Katie.Scovell@northumberland.gov.uk
First Contact/ASYE Academy:
Kath Burns
Kath.Burns@northumberland.gov.uk
The senior manager who should be notified in the event of death or serious injury to a child.
Post title: Executive Director of Children, Young People and Education (DCS)
Contact details:
Audrey Kingham
Audrey.Kingham@northumberland.gov.uk
PA - Mandy Holmes
mandy.holmes@northumberland.gov.uk
The manager who can authorise a child becoming Cared for.
Post title: Head of Service
Contact details:
Patrick Boyle
Patrick.Boyle@northumberland.gov.uk
Marie Roberts
Marie.roberts@northumberland.gov.uk
The manager who can authorise an application for an Emergency Protection Order.
Post title: Head of Service
Contact details:
Patrick Boyle
Patrick.Boyle@northumberland.gov.uk
Marie Roberts
Marie.roberts@northumberland.gov.uk
The manager who can authorise the placement of a Cared for child outside England and Wales.
Post title: Executive Director of Children, Young People and Education (DCS)
Contact details:
Audrey Kingham
Audrey.Kingham@northumberland.gov.uk
PA - Mandy Holmes
mandy.holmes@northumberland.gov.uk
The manager who can authorise any exemptions from the usual fostering limit for foster carers living in the local authority area.
Post title: Senior Manager - Specialist Services
Contact details:
Laura Cassin
Laura.Cassin@northumberland.gov.uk
The manager who can authorise placements of Cared for children with external providers of residential care or foster carers from an independent fostering agency.
Post title: Head of Service
Contact details:
Patrick Boyle
Patrick.Boyle@northumberland.gov.uk
Marie Roberts
Marie.roberts@northumberland.gov.uk
The manager who can authorise appointments to the Central List of Fostering Panel members
Post title: Senior Manager - Specialist Services
Contact details:
Laura Cassin
Laura.Cassin@northumberland.gov.uk
The manager who can approve a Pathway Plan.
Post title: Senior Manager - Specialist Services
Contact details:
Sharron Pearson
sharron.pearson@northumberland.gov.uk
Where a Cared for Child from another local authority has been placed in the area, the manager to whom the notification should be sent.
Post title: Head of Service
Contact details:
Patrick Boyle
Patrick.Boyle@northumberland.gov.uk
Marie Roberts
Marie.roberts@northumberland.gov.uk
The manager who can authorise a passport application for a Cared for child.
Post title: Director for Children, Young People and Families
Contact details:
Victoria McLeod
victoria.mcleod@northumberland.gov.uk
PA: Mandy Holmes
Mandy.holmes@northumberland.gov.uk
The manager who can authorise an application for a Placement Order.
Post title: Head of Service
Contact details:
Patrick Boyle
Patrick.Boyle@northumberland.gov.uk
Marie Roberts
Marie.roberts@northumberland.gov.uk
The manager who can approve assessments of private foster carers, impose requirements on private foster carers or decide to prohibit someone from acting as a private foster carer.
Post title: Senior Manager, Specialist Services
Contact details:
North and Central Localities:
Alison Dodds
Alison.Dodds01@northumberland.gov.uk
South East/West Locality:
Katie Scovell
Katie.scovell@northumberland.gov.uk
First Contact/ASYE Academy:
Kath Burns
Kath.Burns@northumberland.gov.uk
14/18+:
Sharron Pearson
sharron.pearson@northumberland.gov.uk
The manager who can authorise:
A placement of a Cared for child in secure accommodation for up to 72 hours without a Secure Accommodation Order; and/or
An application for a Secure Accommodation Order; and/or
A child's continued secure placement on the recommendation of the Secure Accommodation Review Panel; and/or
Applications to renewal Secure Accommodation Orders on the recommendation of the Secure Accommodation Review Panel.
Post title: Executive Director of Children, Young People and Education (DCS)
Contact details:
Audrey Kingham
Audrey.Kingham@northumberland.gov.uk
PA - Mandy Holmes
mandy.holmes@northumberland.gov.uk
The manager who can authorise Special Guardianship as the permanence plan for a Cared for child.
Post title: Head of Service
Contact details:
Patrick Boyle
Patrick.Boyle@northumberland.gov.uk
Marie Roberts
Marie.roberts@northumberland.gov.uk
The manager who can authorise the level of special guardianship support to be provided, including financial support to special guardians.
Post title: Senior Manager, Specialist Services
Contact details:
North and Central Localities:
Alison Dodds
Alison.Dodds01@northumberland.gov.uk
South East/West Locality:
Katie Scovell
Katie.Scovell@northumberland.gov.uk
First Contact/ASYE Academy:
Kath Burns
Kath.Burns@northumberland.gov.uk
The manager who can authorise the change of placement affecting a Cared for child in Key Stage 4.
Post title: Director for Children, Young People and Families
Contact details:
Victoria McLeod
victoria.mcleod@northumberland.gov.uk
01670 624049
PA: Mandy Holmes
Mandy.holmes@northumberland.gov.uk
The person who can authorise Fostering for Adoption.
Post title: Senior Manager - Specialist Services
Contact details:
Laura Cassin
Laura.Cassin@northumberland.gov.uk
The manager who can authorise the placement of a Cared for child outside the area of the local authority.
Post title: Head of Service
Contact details:
Patrick Boyle
Patrick.Boyle@northumberland.gov.uk
Marie Roberts
Marie.roberts@northumberland.gov.uk
The manager who can authorise the placement of a Cared for child with a family or friend ('Connected Person') who is not already approved as a foster carer.
Post title: Head of Service
Contact details:
Patrick Boyle
Patrick.Boyle@northumberland.gov.uk
Marie Roberts
Marie.roberts@northumberland.gov.uk
The manager who can authorise the placement of a Cared for child with a parent, person with Parental Responsibility or person who held a Residence Order/Child Arrangements Order specifying with whom the child was to reside immediately before the Care Order.
Post title: Head of Service
Contact details:
Patrick Boyle
Patrick.Boyle@northumberland.gov.uk
Marie Roberts
Marie.roberts@northumberland.gov.uk
Post title: Head of Service
Contact details:
Patrick Boyle
Patrick.Boyle@northumberland.gov.uk
Marie Roberts
Marie.roberts@northumberland.gov.uk
Post title: Head of Service
Contact details:
Patrick Boyle
Patrick.Boyle@northumberland.gov.uk
Marie Roberts
Marie.roberts@northumberland.gov.uk
Last Updated: May 28, 2025
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