I currently fulfil the role of Practice Development Advisor, part time focusing on youth justice and part time Secure Care. I lead on CYCJ’s work regarding children who are deprived of their liberty, looked after children and care leavers. I am also supporting the design, delivery and implementation of the National Secure Care standards.
Having been part of the CYCJ team since 2014, I have previously project managed the multi-agency work completed under the Improving Life Chances Implementation Group and led on the Centre’s reintegration and transitions work. I have completed research into risk management in mental health; reintegration and transitions practice across Scotland; the impact of imprisonment on families; and young people’s experiences of youth justice policy. I have also lead CYCJ’s Responding to Offending in Residential Childcare-Next Steps project and worked with colleagues from CELCIS and other organisations in the development of the youth and criminal justice section of the Scottish Care Leavers Covenant.
Prior to this, I spent ten years working with vulnerable and marginalised children and young people across sectors and in various roles. Having completed a Master of Arts in Social Policy in 2006 and Master of Social Work in 2009, I joined a local authority Children and Families Social Work team. I am passionate about ensuring children and young people are given the opportunity and necessary support to achieve their best possible outcomes. From my experience as a practitioner, I understand the pressures faced by, and the importance of, supporting and developing the broad youth justice workforce if this is to be achieved.