This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Care Commission appointments
18/07/2003
A new non-executive member appointment, and the re-appointment of three current members, to the Scottish Commission for the Regulation of Care (the Care Commission) were announced today
Ms Lesley Bloomer will take up her new post on September 1 for a three year term.
Mrs Raonaid Cobban, Mr Peter Cassidy and Miss Caroline Lindsay have all been re-appointed for a further period of three years from the same date.
Health Minister Malcolm Chisholm said:
"I am delighted to announce these appointments. Each member brings a diverse range of individual skills and experience which will be of great benefit to the Board. I look forward to working together with them as the Care Commission drives forward the vital task of ensuring that our most vulnerable adults and children receive the highest quality care, across Scotland."
Mary Hartnoll, Convener of the Care Commission, said:
"I am delighted that Lesley Bloomer will be joining the Board. Her particular skills and experience will be of especial value in taking forward the work of the Care Commission. I also welcome the re-appointment of Noni Cobban, Peter Cassidy and Caroline Lindsay who have all made valuable contributions during their first term as non-executive members. I very much look forward to working with Lesley and continuing to benefit from the experience of the three re-appointed members."
The Care Commission opened for business in April 2002 to regulate care services throughout Scotland with the aim of improving their quality.
Some 500,000 of the most vulnerable people in our society currently use the care services provided by over 100,000 people employed in the social care workforce.
The establishment of the Care Commission is designed to put in place a new, unified and effective system of care regulation that puts the safety and well-being of people who use care services at its heart.
Ms Lesley Bloomer has recently stepped down from her position as a Director of Audit Scotland, with whom she has worked since 1997. Previously she was a consultant with Eglinton Management Centre and worked for a number of years prior to this with Scottish Enterprise. She will bring a number of transferable skills including a strong strategic awareness. Ms Bloomer has not been involved in any political activity within the last five years and does not hold any other ministerial appointments.
None of the three re-appointees have been involved in any political activity within the last five years or hold any other ministerial appointments.
Mrs Raonaid Cobban is a research project leader at the Dementia Services Development Centre in the University of Stirling a role which contributes directly to the work of the Care Commission.
Peter Cassidy is a former Director of Social Work at Aberdeen City Council and Social Affairs Expert for Grampian Television.
Miss Caroline Lindsay is a Young Person's Worker for Who Cares? Scotland. She brings experience of services for looked after children and also provides a black and ethnic minority perspective to enhance the work of the Commission.
It is expected that non-executive members will contribute around five days per month for which the annual remuneration is £7,175.
The appointments was made in accordance with guidance issued by the Office of the Commissioner of Public Appointments (OCPA). A statement of validation from the Independent Assessor appointed by OCPA has been obtained. This confirms full compliance with the OCPA Code of Practice at each stage of the appointments process.
The Care Commission was established as an executive non-departmental public body under the Regulation of Care (Scotland) Act 2001 and operates within frameworks agreed with Scottish Ministers.
It carries out inspections of services to ensure that the National Care Standards are being met. It has powers to take enforcement action where this is not the case. It is responsible for regulating support services, care homes, school care accommodation, independent health care, nurse agencies, child care agencies, secure accommodation, adoption, fostering, adult placements, child minding, early education and day care of children and housing support.
The Care Commission's headquarters are in Dundee, with five regional offices covering Scotland. The Commission employs around 470 staff, 320 of whom are involved in regulation with a further 150 providing administrative and technical support.