THE former head of children's safeguarding for the Isle of Man Government has taken up a position at The Children's Centre.

Jo Thomas, who previously worked for the Department of Social Care, has been appointed as practice director.

Her primary role will be to provide line management and supervision of fire services which the charity provides for government including family centres, supervised child contact centres, fostering outreach and residential care.

John Knight, chief executive of The Children's Centre, said: "Jo's arrival triggers a slightly reorganised approach to managing the charity as she will join Debi Michelson and I in developing a new 'strategic leadership' team.

"The creation of this team serves several purposes - to keep an ongoing overview of the charity's work and also to plan ahead and drive forward development plans for new services or the further development of existing services."

Jo has worked with children and families for more than 30 years as a social worker and as a social work manager.

Speaking of her appointment Jo said: "The new role of practice director has been created to support both social work practice and the charity's delivery of excellence in its services to government.

"In a wider context the role also allows me to add my experience to The Children's Centre's senior team to further develop the charity and its range of services."

For more information on The Children's Centre click here.