PRESS RELEASE : Seven Chairs appointed to Mother and Baby Units [October 2024]

The press release issued by the Ministry of Justice on 1 October 2024.

The Secretary of State has approved the appointment of: Esther Beresford; Deborah Brayshaw; Lisa Hackett; Tom Ketteley; Claire Wiggins; Laura Vincent and; Glynis Williams as Chairs of Mother and Baby Units, for 5 years from 1 October 2024.

Mother and Baby Units (MBUs) are units within the female prison estate which provide an opportunity for babies to remain with their mother – in a safe setting – whilst their mother serves her custodial sentence. They give the mother and child an opportunity to bond and maintain a secure relationship.

The Prison Rules provides that the Secretary of State may permit a woman to have her baby with her in prison and that everything necessary for the baby’s care may be provided there. There are currently six MBUs in England and Wales. The Policy Framework for Pregnancy, MBUs and Maternal Separation from Children up to the Age of Two in Women’s Prisons (2021) sets out the mandatory requirements that address the needs of perinatal women and mothers in prison and how prisons support them.

The Framework provides that recommendations (including admission recommendations) are made by a Board, and each Board must be chaired by an Independent Chair, appointed by the Secretary of State. Members of the Board are made up of a range of professional backgrounds and local authority officials that bring value to the MBU. The Board decides whether to admit any mother and her child to that Unit or extend their stay should the need arise.

Biographies

Esther Beresford

Esther has been Head of Service at Wakefield Council since June 2022. From 2018 – June 2022, she was a Service Manager at Wakefield Council. Ms Beresford has experience as a Social Worker Leader and working with vulnerable families and children.

Deborah Brayshaw

Deborah has held senior roles in care services supporting children and families, safeguarding and child and adult protection. She is a panel member of Redress Scotland; a scheme which offers redress payments to people abused in care as children in the past. She has also been the Chair of Fostering Panel, for The Adolescent and Children’s Trust (TACT).

Lisa Hackett

Lisa is a registered social worker, leader and educator with over 29 years’ experience of direct work with children and adults in the statutory, private, charitable and academic sectors. Since 2021, Ms Hackett has been chief social work director at Frontline; England’s largest social work charity.

Tom Ketteley

Tom most recently, was Deputy Solicitor to the Infected Blood Inquiry.  Since 2023, he has been a Fee-Paid Judge of the First-Tier Tribunal. He holds a number of judicial and quasi-judicial roles, including: Legally Qualified Chair/Legally Qualified Person for police misconduct proceedings; Adjudicator for Companies House and; Independent Person at the City of London Corporation.  OUTstanding, a professional network for LGBT+ people, have recognised him as an LGBT+ leader.

Claire Wiggins

Claire retired, in 2021, from her 35-year career in the Criminal Justice System. From 2017-2020, she was a Deputy Director for Women in Her Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service.

Laura Vincent

Laura has been, since 1997, a Lay Assessor, Fitness to Practise, at the General Medical Council. She is also an Independent Chair – All Age Continuing Care (AACC), for NHS England.

Glynis Williams

Glynis has over 30 years’ experience in social work including in leadership roles. Her experience includes chairing multi-agency panels, partnership working. She is now an Independent Safeguarding Consultant, an Independent Chair for a Fostering Agency and a DHR and LSCPR Author.

These appointments are made, by the Secretary of State, under Rule 12(2) of the Prison Rules and are regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments. These appointments have been made in line with the Governance Code on Public Appointments