New role for failed children’s chief
THE woman who led Cumbria’s ‘inadequate’ child protection services when Poppi died now advises public sector managers on leadership skills.
Julia Morrison describes herself as a professional ‘public sector trainer’ and leadership coach – despite failing to protect Poppi’s five siblings from her father.
Care proceedings for the children did not start until October 2013, months after a post-mortem report found Poppi had been abused before her death.
The former English teacher now makes a living in Newcastle upon Tyne offering ‘change management’ advice to NHS man-
agers. She quit her £125,000-ayear role at Cumbria County Council in 2014 after the service was repeatedly criticised by Ofsted inspectors, who revealed how vulnerable children were exposed to risk.
Mrs Morrison writes on her LinkedIn profile that she now specialises in ‘leading under the spotlight of high accountability’ and is ‘enjoying a new phase in [her] life’. Last night she refused to answer questions about her role in the case.