Deputy Director, Adoption, Family Justice and Alternative to Care, Department for Education

Policy Fellow, Centre for Science and Policy

Emma Davies is an experienced policy professional. After 18 years at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, she moved to the Department for Education in 2018. Emma is now Deputy Director, Adoption, Family Justice and Alternatives to Care, focused on how we can get the best outcomes for children. She leads on policy for adoption and kinship children and families, and is currently leading a consultation on adoption support, including how best to address the neurodevelopmental and mental health needs of children.

Emma previously led the development of the Advanced British Standard, to deliver a new 16-19 qualifications framework. Before this, she led on: developing the skills offer for priority sectors of the economy; Higher Education Quality and Regulation and International Students; and the HE COVID response, including leading the successful 2021 HE Admissions round following COVID disruptions to exams. At the FCO, Emma led the development and delivery of the Consular strategy, including the development of innovative digital services, and leading policy on British nationals in Europe following the Brexit vote. Prior to this, she undertook a number of roles including: leading the First Class Foreign Policy programme, including developing initiatives on digital diplomacy; leading government policy on war crimes; and helping to establish the FCO Programme Office, delivering high-impact policy programmes.