Public appointment: Members appointed to the Scottish Social Services Council

The Minister for Children, Young People and The Promise, Natalie Don-Innes MSP, today announced the appointment of Alison Todd and Tricia Stewart as Members of the Scottish Social Services Council.

Members

Alison Todd is a Scottish professional who has dedicated her career to supporting children, families, and individuals through times of challenge. She has worked with looked-after children, ChildLine, NSPCC, and latterly served as Chief Executive of Children 1st, Scotland’s national children’s charity, where she championed children’s rights and worked to ensure safety, protection, and wellbeing for vulnerable young people and their families. During her leadership, she was widely recognised for her commitment to trauma-informed practice and strengthening support networks for children and families across Scotland. After leaving Children 1st to have a family, Alison held the role of Child Protection Committee Chair for Angus Council before retraining and qualifying with an MSc in Pluralistic Practice. Her career reflects over 20 years in leadership roles, including various trustee and board positions and a lifelong dedication to children and families to ensure everyone gets the services they need to heal, grow, and thrive

Tricia Stewart has over 25 years leadership experience in public, private and third sector organisations and is delighted to be appointed to as a member of the Scottish Social Services Council. A theme of Tricia’s career has been helping people and organisations successfully navigate change to enable them to thrive. Most recently she became the Director of Resources at Scotland Yard Adventure Centre, a Scottish charity for children and young people with disabilities and their families. With responsibility for HR, Tricia appreciates the trust that families place in them to ensure that the team are well trained professionals with skills, knowledge and experience to support families.

Appointment

Alison Todd and Tricia Stewart’s appointments will be for 3 years, and will run from 1 September 2025 until 31 August 2028.

These appointments are regulated by the Ethical Standards Commissioner.

Remuneration

These appointments are part-time and attract a remuneration of £208 per day up to a maximum total fee of £7,488 per year.

Other ministerial appointments

Alison Todd and Tricia Stewart do not hold any other public appointments.

Political activity

All appointments are made on merit and political activity plays no part in the selection process. However, in accordance with the original Nolan recommendations, there is a requirement for appointees’ political activity within the last five years (if there is any to be declared) to be made public.   

Alison Todd and Tricia Stewart have had no political activity within the last five years.

Background

The Scottish Social Services Council are the regulator for the social work, social care and children and young people workforce in Scotland.

Their work means the people of Scotland can count on social work, social care and  services being provided by a trusted, skilled and confident workforce.

The SSSC protects the public by registering social services workers, setting standards for their practice, conduct, training and education and by supporting their professional development. Where people fall below the standards of practice and conduct they can investigate and take action.

The SSSC:

• publish the national codes of practice for people working in social work, social care and early years services and their employers
• register people working in social work, social care and early years and make sure they adhere to our codes of practice
• promote and regulate their learning and development
• are the national lead for workforce development and planning for the social work, social care and early years workforce in Scotland.

The SSSC Register was set up under the Regulation of Care (Scotland) Act 2001 to regulate social service workers and to promote their education and training.