Jessica Asato

Jessica Asato, who is not currently the Head of Policy and Public Affairs at Barnardo's (the information might be outdated), is a British Labour Party politician with a significant background in politics and public service.

Here are some key points about her:

Early Life and Education

Jessica Asato was born in 1981 or 1982. She has a mixed heritage, being a quarter Japanese and having family in Hawaii. She grew up in the Gorleston-on-Sea area of Great Yarmouth and the nearby Norfolk village of Rollesby, where she cared for her grandmother who had serious health problems. She attended Flegg High School and later moved to London to attend Francis Holland School. She studied law at Trinity Hall, Cambridge.12

Political Career

Asato has been a Labour Party member and activist for over 25 years. She was a councillor on Islington London Borough Council from 2010 to 2013 and worked as a political adviser to former cabinet minister Tessa Jowell. She was involved in several high-profile campaigns, including those related to the NHS, childcare, and domestic abuse. In 2023, she was selected as the prospective parliamentary candidate for the Lowestoft constituency and won the seat in the 2024 general election, defeating the previous Conservative MP Peter Aldous.12

Advocacy and Campaigns

Asato has been a committed campaigner on various issues, including extending free school meals to all primary school pupils, advocating for young carers' rights, and introducing England's first domestic abuse code word, "Ask for ANI." She has also supported trade unions, particularly in campaigns against harassment and abuse of shopworkers and for better rail investment in East Anglia.12

Professional Roles

Before her current role as an MP, Asato held various positions, including being a health policy researcher at the Social Market Foundation, director of the Labour Yes! Campaign, and director of Left Foot Forward. She was also vice-chairman of the Fabian Society and chair of governors of Jack Taylor Special School.1

Given the information, it appears that the LinkedIn profile mentioned might be outdated or incorrect regarding her current role at Barnardo's, as she is now the Member of Parliament for Lowestoft.