Scottish Social Services Council Gets Five New Members

The Scottish Minister for Children and Early Years Adam Ingram has announced the appointment of a new Convener and five new Members to the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC).

The new Convener is Mr Garry Coutts who runs a training company offering media and other communications skills courses to clients in public, private and voluntary sectors. He is also the current Chair of Highland NHS Board, a Ministerial appointment which is part time and attracts a salary £28,280 per annum.

Mr Coutts was previously an elected councillor in both Edinburgh District Council and The Highland Council, where he held several senior positions including Chair of Housing and Social Work committee. He resigned as a councillor in 2004.

The Minister said: “I am delighted that Garry Coutts has agreed to accept the position as Convener of the SSSC. His knowledge and skills will benefit the SSSC in its key role in implementing ‘Changing Lives’, the report of the 21st Century Social Work Review group and the National Review of the Early Years and Childcare Workforce. I am also delighted to announce that 5 new members have also been appointed to the SSSC.”

The new Members are:

• Michael Cairns – worked in social work as both a practitioner and manager. Previously held Director posts in Age Concern Scotland and RNIB Scotland. Seconded to the Scottish Executive for 3 years to assist in review of community eye care services. Now a freelance consultant, specialising in the organisation of services for people with visual impairments. He does not hold any other ministerial appointments.
• Elizabeth Carmichael – recently retired as Head of Community Justice Services, a senior civil servant position with Scottish Executive. She was responsible for policy on management of offenders, community sentences and supervision and framework for delivering criminal justice social work services working with Scottish Prison Service and Association of Chief Police Officers. She has also worked in areas of covering voluntary sector, Finance, Education and Health. She does not hold any other ministerial appointments.
• Karen Croan – currently HR Director of Quarriers following 15 years working in NHS. An HR professional with 19 years generalist and specialised experience at senior level within care and health sector. A fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development and Psychology Honours graduate. She does not hold any other ministerial appointments.
• Maureen O’Neill – worked primarily in the voluntary sector for 25 years. Previously Director of Age Concern Scotland and Director of RBS Centre for the Older Person’s Agenda at Queen Margaret University. Currently a non executive Director of NHS Quality Improvement Scotland, a ministerial appointment which attracts a salary of £7,620 per annum and a Scottish appointee to the European Economic and Social Committee. Also involved in issues relating to age diversity in employment and the spiritual needs of older people.
• Kingsley Thomas – employed as Manager of Criminal Legal Assistance with Scottish Legal Aid Board. Previously an elected Councillor to City of Edinburgh Council from May 1992 to 2007 and non Executive Director of NHS Lothian from 2001 to 2007. He chaired Lothian and Borders Community Justice Authority and the Edinburgh South Community Health Partnership from 2005 to 2007. He does not hold any other ministerial appointments.

These appointments will be for three years and will run from September 1, 2007 to August 31, 2010. The Convener post is part-time and attracts a remuneration of £23,415 per annum for a time commitment of minimum of two days per week. The Member posts are all part-time and attract a remuneration of £7,805 per annum for a minimum time commitment of five days per month.