SCIE Appoints Two New Board Members
The Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE) has appointed two new members to its board of trustees. The new board members – Ann Macfarlane MBE and Jenny Owen – will join SCIE’s other trustees in supporting SCIE’s leadership, strategic direction and executive level appointments.
Ann Macfarlane MBE has a wealth of social care experience and is a leading disability rights and equalities consultant. The main focus of her work is around health and social care for older people and she specialises in independent living and direct payments. She is actively involved in the UK disabled peoples movement and received an MBE for her work with disabled people nationally and internationally.
Jenny Owen is Director of Adult Social Care for Essex County Council and has over 26 years of social care experience. In her social care management roles she has gained experience in all areas including mental health, learning disabilities and individual budgets.
Announcing the appointments, Chair of SCIE, Allan Bowman, said: “I am delighted to announce the addition of Ann and Jenny to SCIE’s board. Ann brings an in-depth knowledge of the principles behind independent living, equality and human rights, as well as service user involvement in various settings. She also has experience of using social care services, experience that makes a vital contribution to every stage of SCIE’s work and management.
“Jenny brings substantial experience of social care leadership, local government and strategic planning. Her knowledge of professional partnerships – particularly between social care and health bodies – will benefit SCIE’s continuing development. Her experience of managing change will also be valuable as SCIE strives to promote better outcomes for all who work in and use social care services.
“The expertise of both new trustees will enhance SCIE’s effectiveness in promoting better social care practice for adults, children and families across England, Wales and Northern Ireland.”
Another SCIE trustee, Peter Beresford, has been awarded an OBE for his contribution to social care and the participation of people who use services in the New Year’s honours list. Peter, who is Professor of Social Policy and Director of the Centre for Citizen Participation at Brunel University and Chair of the national user-controlled organisation, Shaping Our Lives, has served on SCIE’s board since October 2003.
For more information about SCIE visit http://www.scie.org.uk
