Fending off reoffending

Considering the current focus on improving education for young people in custody, Lin Hinnigan appears a natural choice to head up the Youth Justice Board (YJB).

Not only is she an educational psychologist by profession, her more recent past has included roles with the Qualifications and Curriculum Development Agency and the Training and Development Agency for Schools.

Last year, she was invited by Education Secretary Michael Gove to help set up the Teaching Agency as an interim chief executive at the organisation. But asked if she was handpicked once again for her latest role, which she assumed on 1 April, Hinnigan offers a modest response: “I was probably approached by recruitment consultants.”

Pressed further, she admits the role appears a “perfect fit” in light of her experience. “My roots are in educational psychology and my passion is with children and young people,” she says.

“I want to make a difference, particularly for those most disadvantaged groups with the most difficulty in achieving their aspirations.

“The ability to help young people turn things around is what drives me.

“You can judge a society by the way it treats its most vulnerable. The way you support young people in the justice system is a real measure of the society we are.”

Turbulent time
Hinnigan has joined the YJB at a turbulent time of continuing cuts and uncertainty in the sector. Youth offending teams have seen their funding slashed by an average 8.8 per cent in 2013/14. The YJB itself has had to absorb a similar funding reduction this year, coming on the back of hefty cuts and job losses in recent years.