David Parks OBE

David grew up in Glasgow, Scotland and has worked in Community Development and Young People’s Services in Glasgow, Belfast, North Tyneside and Newcastle upon Tyne. David was a Team Manager at Newcastle Youth Offending Team for 12 years, where he managed a range of multi-disciplinary services for young people at risk. David specialised in Court Work, Restorative Justice, and Education, Training and Employment support initiatives. Prior to this David worked as a Prevention Manager at North Tyneside Youth Offending Team for 11 years. 

David has developed a network of pan European partners sharing practice and ideas across a range of criminal justice activities and has directed the academic research partnership between Newcastle Youth Offending Team and Northumbria University. He qualified in the Advanced Diploma in Practice Education and Development (Social Work) in 2003 and has a strong commitment to Social Work education and training, teaching on a number of Criminology, Law and Social Policy modules. David is an Associate Partner of the Centre of Offenders and Offending at Northumbria University and a founding Director of The Skill Mill Limited. David is currently Managing Director of The Skill Mill Limited working at The Skill Mill Hub in Gateshead.