Principal Social Work Officer

Originally from the USA I moved to Scotland in 1997 to train as a social worker, graduating with my Master’s in Social Work in 1999. I was drawn to Scotland for its commitment to a welfare state, enabling all people in communities to access health, welfare, and wellbeing support throughout their lives, and when it was needed the most. I feel privileged to work within this system. I have lived and worked across Scotland, and currently live in Fife with my husband, daughter, and dog.

I have operational and strategic experience working in public sector, working with children, adults, older people, and specialist social work teams along with my national leadership role in Social Work Scotland as Head of Policy and Workforce. I have also held a number of roles supporting statutory and early intervention, sensory impairment, complex transitions, learning disability, mental health, dementia, care home and care at home reviews, public protection, including adult support and protection, multi-agency public protection arrangements (MAPPA) and child protection.

I’m passionate about relationship-based practice in social work and social care and the impact this can have on interventions and support. I believe that social work and social care can be a positive and transformative experience for people, and I’m committed to approaches to support communities and individuals to thrive.

Description :

Originally from the USA I moved to Scotland in 1997 to train as a social worker, graduating with my Master’s in Social Work in 1999. I was drawn to Scotland for its commitment to a welfare state, enabling all people in communities to access health, welfare, and wellbeing support throughout their lives, and when it was needed the most. I feel privileged to work within this system. I have lived and worked across Scotland, and currently live in Fife with my husband, daughter, and dog.

I have operational and strategic experience working in public sector, working with children, adults, older people, and specialist social work teams along with my national leadership role in Social Work Scotland as Head of Policy and Workforce. I have also held a number of roles supporting statutory and early intervention, sensory impairment, complex transitions, learning disability, mental health, dementia, care home and care at home reviews, public protection, including adult support and protection, multi-agency public protection arrangements (MAPPA) and child protection.

I’m passionate about relationship-based practice in social work and social care and the impact this can have on interventions and support. I believe that social work and social care can be a positive and transformative experience for people, and I’m committed to approaches to support communities and individuals to thrive.