The Care Review team
The Independent Care Review is chaired by Fiona Duncan who is supported by the Care Review transition team.
Fiona Duncan, Chair
Fiona brings significant professional experience and expertise, passion and determination to make change happen for children and young people, and personal experience and insight of the care system to the review.
Fiona is the CEO of the Corra Foundation – a philanthropic grant-giving organisation for people and communities experiencing disadvantage – and has over 20 years’ experience working in the voluntary sector right here in Scotland as well overseas.
As CEO of the Corra Foundation, Fiona has driven a new strategy for the organisation that includes supporting communities to drive lasting change in systems, practice and culture. She has contributed to the Foundation’s flagship Partnership Drugs Initiative, particularly in relation to its growing focus on the rights and voices of children and young people affected by substance misuse.
Prior to joining the Foundation, Fiona spent seven years at THINK Consulting Solutions, a leading international consultancy dedicated to not for profits where she had responsibility for strategic planning assignments, working mainly overseas.
From late 1999 until 2006, Fiona was at Capability Scotland, latterly as Director of External Affairs. Before Capability, Fiona was Head of Development at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama and prior to that spent six years with WaterAid establishing their office for Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Fiona is a regular speaker at conferences and contributor to sector journals. In 2016 she was a judge of NESTA’s New Radicals for The Observer.
To contact a member of the Secretariat team please call 0141 444 8527 or email info@carereview.scot.
Michelle Nairn, Head of Quality Assurance and Planning
Thomas Carlton, Practice Support Manager
Lynne Sinclair, Implementation Manager
Michael Stewart, Implementation Manager
Lynne Loudon, Administrative Support
Paula Nugent, Administrative Support
Claire Stuart, Data and Evidence Lead
Jean Lowe, Data and Reporting Analyst
Fiona McFarlane, Policy Implementation Lead
The Discovery Group is made of 12 people, and half of the Group have experience of the care system.
Information correct at the time of the Discovery stage of the Care Review.
Lex Baillie, nominated by Police Scotland
Chief Inspector Baillie leads Police Scotland’s national teams for children and young people, mental health, and missing persons.
CI Baillie joined Strathclyde Police in 1994 and began his career policing the communities of Lanarkshire, undertaking a number of diverse operational and leadership roles. By the time of the creation of Police Scotland in 2013, CI Baillie had been promoted to Inspector, with responsibility for leading several teams of response and community officers in South Lanarkshire.
In 2015, CI Baillie was promoted to Chief Inspector and has since been leading Police Scotland’s national teams for children and young people, mental health, and missing persons. CI Baillie brings his significant operational experience to the development of national policies, processes and partnerships for these areas with a strong focus on the prevention of harm. Through his portfolio, CI Baillie leads on identifying and connecting related work streams in his business areas to develop effective intra-organisational partnerships and relationships.
CI Baillie is currently overseeing the implementation of the National Missing Persons Framework for Scotland and the provisions of the Children & Young People (Scotland) Act 2014 (as well as relevant parts of the Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act 2016), leading landmark improvements across policing in Scotland.
Kevin Browne, care experienced member, nominated by Who Cares? Scotland
Kevin is a University of Strathclyde graduate who has dedicated his professional career to ensuring care experienced people are understood in our society and achieve equality. He has 15 years of personal care experience, which includes being looked after at home, respite care, foster care & residential care.
In a professional capacity, Kevin is Director for care experienced membership with Who Cares? Scotland. He has overseen the delivery of innovative programmes which place care experienced people at the forefront of corporate parenting approaches. Kevin has been successful in engaging with hearts and minds, against the complex backdrop of legislation, policy and regulation. Kevin previously worked for the office of Scotland’s Commissioner for Children & Young People on a number of national children’s rights based projects; he also has substantial practice experience as an independent advocate and independent Safeguarder, which was through Ministerial Appointment.
Dr Linda de Caestecker, NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde
Linda is Director of Public Health for NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde. She has been in post for 10 years, having returned to post in August 2016 after a year’s leave working for the International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics promoting women’s reproductive health in low-resource settings.
Linda’s clinical background is in obstetrics and gynaecology and she had a previous post seconded to the (then) Scottish Executive as Head of the Women and Children’s Unit. Her special interests are in maternal and child health and she is an honorary professor at the University of Glasgow. Linda has served on a number of national groups including the Child and Young People’s Health Support Group and was a member of the Commission on Female Offenders.
Helen Happer, nominated by Care Inspectorate
Helen qualified as a social worker from Aberdeen University in 1984 and has spent her career working for better outcomes for children and families, in central and local government and in the third sector.
She has been developing and leading programmes of inspection and support for improvement for more than 10 years and is currently Chief Inspector (strategic scrutiny) in the Care Inspectorate, Scotland’s independent body for regulation and inspection of social care services. Her responsibilities include scrutiny and assurance of social work services and multi-agency partnership working across services for children and young people, adults and older people and justice.
Dorothy Hawthorn, Renfrewshire Council, nominated by Social Work Scotland (SWS)
Dorothy was appointed as Head of Child Care and Criminal Justice in Renfrewshire in December 2007. She is responsible for children and families and criminal justice social work services.
She trained as a social worker in Glasgow, qualifying in 1984. Dorothy came to Renfrewshire in 1988 and has worked across the authority in a variety of posts and teams. During this time she has also undertaken periods of secondment including Justice in Scottish Government and as the Chief Officer of North Strathclyde Community Justice Authority Community Justice Authority when it was first established.
Carrie Lindsay, nominated by ADES
Having left school at 16 Carrie returned to study and became a teacher in 1987 in Fife where she learned the importance of effective pedagogy and valuing the views of children and young people. Carrie was Headteacher in Fife before moving into a QIO post in Angus Council. On return to Fife in 2003 Carrie developed her role in Children’s Services working with schools and community planning partners to get the best possible outcomes for children and young people.
Now as Executive Director of Education and Children’s Services, Carrie continues to look for better connections across Children’s Services to support children, young people and their families.
Stuart Lindsay, care experienced member, nominated by Coalition of Care and Support Providers in Scotland (CCPS)
Stuart spent his early years in foster care in Inverness before moving to an Aberlour Trust children’s home in Keith, Moray aged 3. He then spent 10 largely positive years in residential care, before being fostered by the house parents at age 13, when the children’s home was due for closure.
Stuart’s care background eventually led to a career in social care, and he has gone on to work for Aberlour for 27 years; mostly within residential and short breaks services for children with learning disabilities. He is currently Aberlour’s Quality Improvement Officer, has a grown daughter Caitlin, and stays in Glasgow.
Dr Jim McCormick, Joseph Rowntree Foundation
Jim McCormick is Associate Director for Scotland with the Joseph Rowntree Foundation. He is a member of the Social Security Advisory Committee and an advisory board member of Business in the Community (BITC) Scotland.
Jim was appointed by the Social Security Minister in February 2017 as chair of the independent Disability and Carers Benefits expert advisory group. He has advised fairness/tackling poverty commissions in Renfrewshire, Fife and Perth & Kinross. He was previously Director of independent think-tank the Scottish Council Foundation (SCF). Interests include music, languages and Greenock Morton FC.
Joanna McCreadie, Chief Executive of Seamab, nominated by CCPS
Joanna McCreadie represents the Coalition of Care and Support Provides Scotland (CCPS), bringing to the review the experience and insight of members. As the Chief Executive of Seamab, a children’s charity providing care and education, Joanna has responsibility for leadership and management of all aspects of the charity’s work.
Joanna qualified as a social worker and has worked for local authorities, the third sector and inspection agencies. Experienced in a range of different social care and education settings, she has specialised in work with children who have experienced trauma and children who are looked after. Joanna is a Clore Social Leadership Fellow, and is committed to developing services that meet the needs of children and support them to heal, grow and learn.
Rosie Moore, care experienced member, nominated by CCPS
Rosie is originally from Manchester but has lived in Glasgow since 2014.
She is a care experienced individual who spent the first part of her childhood in kinship care with her grandparents, and the second part in numerous foster homes.
She is pursuing her passion for improving the lives of children and young people as a Social Work Honours student at the University of Strathclyde, with plans to go on and study a Masters in Social Policy and Research in 2019.
She is an experienced youth worker for both Aberlour and the Sound Lab charity, and volunteers at the Life Changes Trust as part of the care experienced advisory group.
Alastair Redpath, care experienced member, nominated by the Independent Voluntary Providers Forum
Alastair is an Edinburgh-born Hawick author who currently lives in Glasgow with his partner Jaime-Lynn and son Alexander.
He has extensive first-hand experience of Scotland’s care services, having been fostered from an early age through local authority and later Barnardo’s placements.
Educated in Fife and Glasgow, Alastair formed a successful retail career before settling into his new roles as a social media consultant, journalist, and fostering panel member with Barnardo’s and FCA Scotland. In his spare time he is Honorary Secretary of Hawick Archaeological Society, and runs an ever-expanding social media empire in Hawick and Glasgow.
Thomas Timlin, care experienced member, nominated by Scottish Funding Council
Thomas Timlin is a Children and Families Social Worker. He is a Social Work graduate from the University of the West of Scotland and was awarded the University of Scotland Amundsen Trophy in 2014.
Prior to graduating Thomas was an active campaigner for Children in care and care leavers; he also worked as an Advocacy Worker with a children’s charity, advocating on behalf of looked after children and care leavers. Upon leaving University in May of 2014, Thomas began a new role as a Policy Officer at Who Cares? Scotland. He also spent a period being a Panel Advisor for a Fostering provider. Thomas is a campaigner for care leavers; utilising his care experience to create positive change within Scotland’s care system.
Adam Bennet – Co-chair of Health and Wellbeing
Adam recently graduated from the University of Edinburgh and is a member of the Fostering Network’s Young Champions Group.
Adam was in foster care for seven years lasting through his later high school and university life. In his spare time he loves writing music and learning new things.
Alan Baird – Co-chair of Stop:Go
Alan qualified as a social worker in 1980 and subsequently held a number of practitioner and management posts in Glasgow, Angus, and Dundee. He was appointed Director of Social Work with Dundee City Council in 2001 and served as President of the Association of Directors of Social Work in 2008/9. Alan was appointed Chief Social Work Adviser to Scottish Government in 2013 and remained in post until April of that year.
Alan graduated with an MBA from Dundee University in 1999. He has been a Trustee of Children’s Hospices Across Scotland (CHAS) since 2013 and has recently been appointed Honorary Professor in Social Work at Dundee University.
Alastair Redpath – Co-chair of Stigma
Alastair is an Edinburgh-born Hawick author who currently lives in North Ayrshire with his partner Jaime-Lynn and son Alexander. He has extensive first-hand experience of Scotland’s care services and associated stigma, having been fostered from an early age through local authority and later Barnardo’s placements.
Educated in Fife, he formed a successful retail career before settling into his new roles as a social media consultant, journalist, and fostering panel member for three national agencies.
In his spare time he is Honorary Secretary of Hawick Archaeological Society, and runs an ever-expanding social media empire in Hawick, Fife, and Glasgow.
Beth-Anne Logan – Co-chair of Best Place in the World
Beth-Anne is a founding member of North Lanarkshire’s Champions Board TNT – Today not Tomorrow. She is a non-executive director of Children’s Hearings Scotland and is the youngest person ever appointed to a non-departmental public body. Beth-Anne is a board member for the secure care strategic review and chair of the STARR Board work strand.
Beth-Anne says that being asked to be a co-chair is categorically the most exciting and terrifying opportunity she has had to date. Beth-Anne’s hope for the Care Review is that we create and embed practice and culture where failing our young people is never an option.
Bruce Adamson – Co-chair of Rights
Bruce Adamson is the Children and Young People’s Commissioner in Scotland. The Commissioner’s job is to help you understand your rights and to make sure those rights are respected. His goal is to make sure all children and young people in Scotland are as safe and happy as possible. Before becoming the Commissioner in May 2017, Bruce worked as a lawyer. In this role, he built up over 20 years of experience working on children’s rights issues. Bruce has also been a member of the Children’s Panel for 13 years, was a United Nations Representative for the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions, and has been Chair of the Scottish Child Law Centre.
Denisha Killoh – Co-chair of Stigma
Denisha is currently in her third year studying politics and social policy at the University of Strathclyde. Through her course she started to gain a passion for combating the structural issues that hinder the most vulnerable groups in society. This led to her reflecting on her own personal background, analysing where she too had faced discrimination, particularly whilst in care. Denisha then became a spokesperson for Who Cares? Scotland where she used her platform to talk about her own experience, advocate for change, and lobby politicians. Denisha believes her role within the Care Review will allow her to continue to work to ensure care experienced people can live their life to their fullest potential without facing stigma.
Ewan Aitken – Co-chair of Edges of Care
Ewan is CEO of Cyrenians, a homelessness charity which supports people excluded from family, home, work or community. A former Convener of Education and Leader of Edinburgh City Council and CoSLA spokesperson on Education, Ewan has over 30 years’ experience in the Public and third sectors.
He founded the National Prison Visitor Centre Steering group, the Ripple Project, the Youth Bus Trust and two Credit Unions. He is a member of Midlothian Integrated Joint Board and a Council member of the Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce, chairing its Inspiring Communities Network.
Ewan is a Fellow of the Royal Society of the Arts, board member of the Ripple Project, a member of the Edinburgh and South East Scotland city deal regional enterprise council, and former Chair of BBC Children in Need Scotland Grants Committee. He’s an advisor to Circle Scotland and was a member of the CoSLA Commission on Strengthening Local Democracy. He was awarded the 2018 SCVO Charity Awards Leading Light Award.
Gerry McLaughlin – Co-chair of Health and Wellbeing
Gerry McLaughlin is CEO of NHS Health Scotland, the country’s national board working to reduce health inequalities and improve population health. He joined the NHS in 2010, from the British Red Cross where he was UK Director for ten years, prior to which he was Assistant Director at the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) Scotland. Gerry qualified as a social worker in 1979 and spent the next 18 years in a number of front line, managerial and policy roles including work on residential child care, becoming Glasgow’s Principal Child Protection Officer in 1996. Having also been a non-executive on the Board of NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde from 2004-2010 and Chair of East Dunbartonshire Community Health Partnership. Gerry currently chairs the Board of Trustees of Dr Nana, a charity supporting healthcare delivery in rural Ghana.
Jimmy Paul – Co-chair of Workforce
Jimmy is deeply committed to improving the lives of infants, children, young people and families; especially those who experience disadvantage.
He began his leadership journey on the NHS Graduate Management Training Scheme where he then spent four years working across health and social care services. He now works as a Consultant at CELCIS where he improves the experience of permanence for looked after children across Scotland.
Outside of work, Jimmy was accepted onto the prestigious Future Leaders Connect programme run by the British Council. He is the incoming Curator at the Global Shapers Community (Edinburgh Hub) with the World Economic Forum where he leads a wide range of voluntary work and he has also been inducted into the Royal Society of Edinburgh’s Young Academy of Scotland.
Being co-chair of the workforce group at the Independent Care Review is the greatest privilege Jimmy has ever had. As someone with experience of kinship, foster, and residential care, ensuring that infants, children and young people experience the best care in the world is particularly important to him, and he will do everything to make sure that people with lived experience drive the Review to making the change that is much needed.
John Carnochan – Co-chair of Best Place in the World
John was an active police officer for almost 39 years and was awarded the Queen’s Police Medal in 2007 for distinguished police service. In January 2005, together with a colleague, John established the Violence Reduction Unit which has a national remit to bring about sustainable reductions in violence. In June 2014 John “retired” and now works as an independent consultant and adviser on violence prevention, effective partnership working and leadership. John is on the boards of several groups (including the Children’s Parliament and the Poverty and Truth Commission). He has also worked recently with The Hunter Foundation assisting in developing a UK wide project in partnership with BBC Children in Need to improve the outcomes for children on the edge of care.
He is a passionate advocate of prevention, whole system thinking, early years and effective collaboration and the importance of human relationships and acknowledging the value of “being human.”
Joanna McCreadie – Co-chair of Love
Joanna is a qualified social worker and has worked for local authorities, national government and the third sector.
She has worked for inspection agencies and led community based projects and national child care and education services. Throughout her career Joanna has worked with children affected by significant trauma and loss.
She co-authored Extraordinary Lives and has contributed to a number of national reviews and reports. Her most recent role was as CEO of Seamab, a specialist provider of care and education for vulnerable and traumatised children. Joanna was a member of the Care Review’ s Discovery group before joining the Journey group, representing the Coalition of Care Providers Scotland.
She was appointed as one of the co-chairs for the Love work group and has jointly led the work on love with Rosie Moore.
Joanna is currently completing an MBA and working as an independent consultant.
Laura Beveridge – Co-chair of Stop:Go
Having both lived, worked and campaigned for change in the care system, Laura’s work at the Care Review is very close to her heart. Laura has over 13 years’ experience working in partnership with care experienced children and young people and firmly believes they should have more power and control over their own lives, and the care system of the future. Laura has always loved writing and has written a number of articles, including for a column at Holyrood magazine.
Lisa Macrae – Co-chair of Components of Care
Lisa works part time at the Independent Care Review and spends the rest of her time watching the little humans in her life grow. From a young age, Lisa has always enjoyed helping care and tend to children. To no surprise, Lisa went into childcare after leaving school. Child development fascinated Lisa, she loved her time in nurseries but wanted to do more.
To help those who may benefit from additional support, Lisa finished off her training in a children and family centre.
Lisa went on to study Social Services & Health Care, while working in East Lothian with people who have experience of the care system. Lisa supported the establishment of the local Champions Board and the growth of this with a foundation of genuine relationships. Lisa studied further, learning and exploring Community Education before moving into supporting the network of Champions Boards across the Country at Life Changes Trust.
Nancy Loucks – Co-chair of Justice and Care
Originally from California, Nancy has been in the UK since 1989 and is Chief Executive of Families Outside, the only national Scottish charity working solely on behalf of families affected by imprisonment, since 2008. Prior to Families Outside she worked as an Independent Criminologist, receiving her MPhil and PhD from the Institute of Criminology at the University of Cambridge, and in 2012 was appointed as Visiting Professor at the University of Strathclyde’s Centre for Law, Crime and Justice. Nancy was awarded an OBE in the 2016 New Year’s Honours List for services to Education and Human Rights.
Rosie Moore – Co-chair of Love
Rosie is originally from England but has lived in Glasgow since 2014. She is a care experienced individual who spent the first part of her childhood in kinship care with her grandparents and the second part in numerous foster homes. Rosie is a qualified Social Worker, having graduated with a first class honours degree from the University of Strathclyde.
Rosie has been part of the Care Review from the beginning, undertaking a variety of roles, including Discovery Group member, Participation Coordinator and most recently Love work group co-chair.
Stuart Lindsay – Co-chair of Rights
Stuart spent his early years in foster care in Inverness before moving to an Aberlour Trust children’s home in Keith, Moray, aged three. He then spent 10 largely positive years in residential care, before being fostered by the house parents at age 13, when the children’s home was due for closure. Stuart’s care background eventually led to a career in social care, and he has gone onto work for Aberlour for 27 years; mostly within residential and short breaks services for children with learning disabilities. He is currently Aberlour’s Personalisation Development Manager and has a grown daughter Caitlin, and stays in Glasgow.
Sue Brookes – Co-chair of Workforce
Sue has been employed by the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) as a Prison Governor for 31 years. She held the post of Governor in Charge in five establishments (both local and national), including Edinburgh, Polmont and Cornton Vale, working with all offender populations and sentence classifications. She has been involved in extensive partnership working to achieve change on a number of sites, in respect of national projects and as a Board member of third sector organisations.
She is currently on a cross sector secondment to Education Scotland for personal development purposes and to promote knowledge exchange between Education and Justice. Sue is passionate about the creation of a ‘Safer Scotland’ and has a lifelong commitment to prevention and to helping individuals realise their potential.
Sylvia Douglas – Co-chair of Edges of Care
With a background in mental health and social work, Sylvia is the founding director of MsMissMrs CIC, a social enterprise founded in 2014 and all in existence to serve women and girls who have travelled a difficult journey to become the leaders in their own lives. Having spent much of her young life living in children’s homes, leaving school with no education and becoming a mum at 15, she is focused on supporting change for others.
Vonnie Sandlan – Co-chair of Justice and Care
After returning to higher education at the age of 30, Vonnie has spent the last seven years passionately advocating for an education system which works for all, with a specific focus on widening access.
After campaigning for – and securing – an overhaul of the student support process, Vonnie was elected as president of the National Union of Students in Scotland.
In this capacity, Vonnie secured the review of student support and influenced the review to recommend bursaries for care experienced learners, and was a Commissioner on Dame Ruth Silver’s Commission on Widening Access.
Growing up, Vonnie spent time in kinship care with her grandparents before entering the homeless system at the age of 16. With a low tolerance threshold for injustice, and a values set which is rooted in communities, Vonnie is a passionate advocate for equality and human rights.
Carly Edgar, 1000 Voices Manager
Hi I’m Carly and I’m the 1000 Voices Manager. It’s my job to directly manage the 1000 Voices team and make sure that our work helps children, young people and adults with care experience to engage with the Independent Care Review.
Before joining the 1000 Voices team, I led the Who Cares? Scotland policy team where I focused on ensuring that care experienced people were able to use their voice to influence change at a national level. I also have experience of working within the care system and youth justice, across a range of roles including youth work, intensive support and research.
At University I chose to study Criminology and then Human Rights – two subjects I’m very passionate about.
I’m also obsessed with all things animal shaped, especially cats. Don’t get me started talking about my cat…
Kari-Ann Johnston, Engagement & Development Officer
Hi I’m Kari-Ann! Me and the team have been engaging with care experienced children, young people and adults across Scotland, empowering those very voices to contribute to and shape the Independent Care Review.
At University I studied Community Education which is where I found my passion for working with young people in care. I also have extensive experience working as a youth worker, with a particular focus around youth participation. I also previously worked in theatre management.
My fun fact is that I once “starred” in an advert with Steven Hendry….
Kieran Platts, Engagement and Development Officer
Hi I’m Kieran and my role entails ensuring people with care experience are able to get across their views, suggestions and hopes for the Independent Care Review. We do this using a number of methods that make sure everyone is able to participate, in a way they choose and feel most comfortable with.
Previously I worked as a youth worker, using creative methods such as music inclusion to engage hard to reach young people in the north east of England. I then specialised in youth homelessness in England and worked as the Regional Project Officer for Youth Homeless North East and Centrepoint.
When not at the mercy of bad UK weather, I like to jump out of planes at weekends, but to balance that out I also have an irrational fear of cotton wool and cockroaches.
Heather Donaldson, Business Support & Events Officer
Hi I’m Heather! I provide day-to-day support for the 1000 Voices team, and lead on organising their larger events. I also work on 1000 Voices social media and communications.
I previously studied Anthropology at University, then spent a couple of years travelling around Australia, New Zealand and other countries. During my time travelling, I started working in Community and Youth Development in Colombia, assisting local community projects and undertaking research to feed into public policy.
Unsurprisingly, I enjoy travelling, Spanish food, going to gigs and supporting local bands. I’m also a self-confessed popcorn addict.
