My overall work objective is to ensure that people’s experience of public service is as good as it can be – accessible, equitable, of high quality, meeting need and engendering confidence.

n     Master of Public Health – University of Glasgow. 2000.

n     Master of Public and Social Administration – Brunel University. 1987.

n     Diploma in Town Planning – Bristol Polytechnic. 1974.

n     Professional exams Royal Town Planning Institute. 1975.

Continuing professional development has included training in management, negotiation, equal opportunities, recruitment, quality review and appraisal techniques.

 n     Associate consultant

    National Development Team.

      2000 to date.

Objective – To lead consultancy in healthcare, quality and participative research with people with learning disability in Scotland. To develop the profile of the NDT in Scotland

Work content

Developing and running participative events and training, for example events for Borders Day Service review and for Angus PiP reviews.

Developing Cornerstone’s Quality Assurance partnership. Developing Capability’s self-advocacy Network.

Designing and facilitating Safe and Active workshops with self-advocates – a series of 42 workshops across Scotland.

Undertaking consultancy with both voluntary and public sectors

· Scottish Development Officer Values into Action

  2002 to date

Objective – to raise the profile of VIA in Scotland and to publicise what VIA has to offer. In particular to support development away from institutions and promote independent living.

Values into Action is the national policy advocacy organisation working with and for people with learning disability.

Work content

Undertake research for the Scottish Consortium on information giving on medication. Represent VIA on the User and Carer Group of SAYIG, on the Day Services working group, on the Scottish Consortium for Learning Disability’s Health Group, and at the Learning Disability Alliance. Develop Human Rights training, promote Direct Payments and work on Hate Crime against people with learning disability

·           Scottish Coordinator Quality Network

 2000 to date.

Objective – to promote high quality outcome based self-review in health, local authority and voluntary sector settings.

The Quality Network is a not for profit organisation working with people with learning disability and family carers.

Work content

Support organisations to appraise their work and develop action plans to improve outcomes for service users. Working with NHS Trusts, local authorities and the voluntary sector. Involving People Properly Project, which is evaluating and action planning for the improved involvement of self-advocates.

n     Learning Disability Strategy Manager

    Lanarkshire Health Board.

   1999 to 2001.

Objective – to develop a jointly agreed strategic framework for services for people with a learning disability in Lanarkshire in a way that involves people with learning disability, their carers and other key stakeholders. To progress health service modernisation, particularly developing the contribution of primary care.

Work content

Strategy work leading to the publication of ‘We want a Life, Strategic Framework 2000’. Responsible for strategy development, leading partnership with Councils, Trust, people with learning disability, parents, Local Health Council, Scottish Homes, advocacy, Community Care Forum and Health Board. The work included participative research, project management, stakeholder events, discussion with key stakeholders, report preparation including the final strategy, presentation and consultation.

·  Commissioning Manager

    Grampian Health Board

    1992 – 1999.

Project Manager Joint Learning Disability Strategy. Preparation of joint strategy involving service users, carers and other key stakeholders. Commissioning priority services.

·  Principal Officer Joint Working

   Grampian Health Board and Grampian Regional Council

   1990 – 1992.

·  Planning and Development Officer

   Grampian Region Social Work.

    1987 – 1990.

·  Principal Programme and Policy Officer

    Leicester City Council Housing.

    1985 – 1987.

·  Principal Officer Capital Programme

   Liverpool City Council Housing.

   1984 – 1985.

·  Housing Research Officer

    Liverpool City Council Housing

    1981-1984.

·  Senior Planning Officer

    Liverpool City Council Planning Department.

    1975 – 1981

·  Planning Assistant

   Liverpool City Council Planning Department

    1974 - 1975

Children’s Panel member.

Member of VIA Scotland Sub Committee

Hat making