Brigitte Gater

As the Interim Managing Director for Children’s Services, Brigitte is responsible for all children’s services. This includes SEND and residential care services, children’s centres, nurseries, family support, fostering, adoption, and for the charity’s growth strategy across the four nations. She is a strong supporter of the Green Agenda and Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) across the workplace.

Previously, Brigitte was the National Director Wales (from 2017) and prior to that she was the Director-UK West (2014 - 2017). Both held responsibility for managing a wide range of children’s services.

Brigitte has worked in Children’s Services since 1986, qualifying as a social worker in 1992.

Her career at Action for Children started in 1987 as a sessional Play Worker/Play Leader and a Project Leader, at which point Brigitte left the organisation to take up the National Manager post with a specialist adoption charity. This was followed by a move to Barnardo’s. Brigitte returned to Action for Children in 2003 as an Assistant Director, Group Manager, and Operational Director.

Brigitte lives in Penarth – a seaside town outside of Cardiff – with her partner. Their children have now grown up; one lives in London and the other lives in Cardiff.