Meet the team

I feel very honoured to be given the chance as Service Manager to continue the vision and positive progress made over the last few years within nether Johnstone House.  I have worked in residential child care for over 30 years but I have never felt more passionate, enthused and positive due to the Promise and this vision for the sector.

I have worked in a wide variety of settings within RCC but there is something so unique about NJH.  I know I have a lot to learn but I am really looking forward to the various challenges which lie ahead, and I will strive to do my very best for all of the young people within the House.  I have qualifications in social care, and I am currently undertaking the Masters in Advanced Residential Child Care at the University of Strathclyde.  I have 7 years previous experience of being a manager within RCC and I am more determined than ever to provide the highest standards of care and support for young people using a strengths-based approach.  I have a very strong value base and I am committed to ensure the progression and further development of responsive, relational care using a social pedagogical approach.  I fully support the entire staff team to grow and develop in keeping with our learning culture.  I understand the importance of reflective practice and embracing opportunities for practice discussions which contribute to learning and development.  I am determined that young people must have a voice and be included in all aspects of their care and development.

I firmly believe that each young person is unique and has enormous potential.  I will therefore do all I can to assist young people on their journey and help them have wonderful experiences with the support of loving, nurturing relationships.

Dr Irene Stevens provides external support and supervision to the Service Manager as well as providing staff training at Nether Johnstone House and independently auditing the views of stakeholders, children and young people on their experience of the service. Dr Stevens has an esteemed career in residential child care. She joined the University of Strathclyde in 2001, after a career in residential child care in Scotland which spanned almost 20 years. Within the university, she worked for the Scottish Institute for Residential Child Care which has now become CELCIS (Centre of Excellence for Looked-after Children in Scotland). Her main work there was training, evaluative research and developing practice guidance literature. When she left CELCIS in 2012, she continued to work as an independent consultant in the field of residential child care and education. She currently sits on the editorial board of the Scottish Journal of Residential Child Care, and continues to write and publish in this area. Her most recent publications have included work in the European Journal of Social Work, the International Journal of Social Work and the International Journal of Child, Family and Youth Studies.

Maureen Anderson is an Independent registered Social Worker and Tutor Assessor for the Care Inspectorate. She provides auditing and quality assurance of Nether Johnstone House care systems, training and is currently preparing to support the young people in knowing their rights and responsibilities. Maureen has had a lengthy career in social care and social work. She has had many years’ experience in residential child care, children and families experience and has managed a drug service. She is a qualified Further Education Lecturer and worked for the Scottish Institute for Residential Child Care as Assistant Director, Workforce Development where her role was to support the residential child care workforce into Further Education in order to meet SSSC registration requirements. In that post, with another colleague, Maureen developed the Core Skills Appraisal Project which won two Care Accolades in 2005. She sat for a seven year term on the SSSC Registration and Conduct Sub-Committee and was a member of the General Teaching Council for Scotland Fitness to Teach panel for seven years. She was a part-time Locum Inspector in the Care Inspectorate complaints team and is also a Panel Practice Advisor within the Children’s Hearing System.