Cassandra Harrison

Staff team

Cassandra joined Youth Access in November 2020.

Her interest in social justice and improving outcomes for young people stems from growing up in a family that fostered. Cassandra’s professional background is in strategy and policy, with over a decade working in the children and young people’s sector. She has held senior roles at the Local Government Association and Barnardo’s, working on a variety of issues including safeguarding, youth justice and the care system. As the first Director of the Centre of expertise on child sexual abuse, Cassandra established an influential multi-disciplinary organisation to reduce the impact of sexual abuse through improved prevention and response.

Her big passion outside of work is scuba diving, which she teaches. She loves to be underwater, even if it’s in a cold, dark quarry! She also enjoys travelling, hiking, outdoor swimming and cooking in her spare time.