Introduction
The SSSC Council, made up of a Convener and members, oversees our work. Scottish Ministers appoint members through open competition. They come from a wide range of backgrounds.
The Council works to the six core principles of the International Framework: Good Governance in the Public Sector.
- Behaving with integrity, demonstrating strong commitment to ethical values, and respecting the rule of law.
- Ensuring openness and comprehensive stakeholder engagement.
- Defining outcomes in terms of sustainable economic, social and environmental benefits
- Determining the interventions necessary to optimise the achievement of the intended outcomes.
- Determining the entity’s capacity, including the capability of its leadership and the individuals within it.
- Managing risks and performance through robust internal control and strong public financial management.
- Implementing good practices in transparency, reporting and audit to deliver effective accountability.
The Council has set up an Audit and Assurance Committee, which meets quarterly, several other committees and some formal panels. You can read about our committees, sub-committees and panels below.
We hold our Council meetings on Microsoft Teams webinars and anyone can register to join. Find Council meeting dates and register to join on our events page.
We publish Council and committee meeting minutes and papers for the past two years in our publications. For earlier minutes and papers email [email protected]
Our Council Members must follow our Code of Conduct for Members of the SSSC.
You can find out more about how the SSSC is run here.
Council Convener
Peter Murray
Appointment information
Appointed SSSC Convener on 1 September 2025.
Appointed SSSC Interim Convener on 1 October 2024.
Appointed as SSSC Council Member from 1 September 2019 to 31 August 2022. Re-appointed from 1 September 2022 to 31 August 2025.
Latest register update
April 2026
Council Members
See our Council Members
Sharon Ballingall
Appointment information
Appointed as SSSC Council Member from 1 December 2023 to 30 November 2026.
Latest register update
October 2025
Jillian Brannan
Appointment information
Appointed as SSSC Council Member from 1 September 2024 to 31 August 2027.
Appointed to Audit and Assurance Committee 1 September 2024.
Latest register update
October 2025
Edel Harris OBE
Appointment information
Appointed Vice Chair of Audit and Assurance Committee 1 February 2026.
Appointed as SSSC Council Member from 1 December 2023 to 30 November 2026.
Appointed to Audit and Assurance Committee 1 September 2024.
Latest register update
April 2026
David Heaney
Appointment information
Appointed Chair of Audit and Assurance Committee 1 February 2026.
Appointed Vice Chair of Audit and Assurance Committee 22 September 2025.
Appointed as SSSC Council Member from 1 September 2024 to 31 August 2027.
Appointed to Audit and Assurance Committee 1 September 2024.
Latest register update
April 2026
Doug Moodie
Appointment information
Appointed as Chair of the Care Inspectorate Board from 1 September 2022 to 31 August 2026.
Latest register update
April 2026
Frank Reilly
Appointment information
Appointed to Audit and Assurance Committee 1 February 2026.
Appointed as SSSC Council Member from 1 September 2024 to 31 August 2027.
Latest register update
October 2025
Tricia Stewart
Appointment information
Appointed as a member of the Audit and Assurance Committee 22 September 2025.
Appointed as SSSC Council Member from 1 September 2025 until 31 August 2028.
Latest register update
April 2026
Alison Todd
Appointed as SSSC Council Member from 1 September 2025 until 31 August 2028.
Latest register update
October 2025
Committees and panels
Committees, sub-committees and panels
We have several committees, sub-committees and panels.
Operational committees
Audit and Assurance Committee: advises the Council and the Accountable Officer on strategic processes for risk, internal control environment, governance and the governance statement, anti-fraud policies, whistleblowing processes, arrangements for special investigations, adequacy of management response to operational and financial performance, financial probity and stewardship, management of risk (financial and strategic objectives) and audit findings, effectiveness of audit functions.
Regulatory committees
Fitness to Practise Committee: makes decisions in terms of the Fitness to Practise Rules 2016, Fitness to Practise (Amendment) Rules 2017, Registration Rules 2025 as they may be amended from time to time.
Appeals committees
Fitness to Practise Committee Appeals Panel: deals with appeals of decisions to remove Fitness to Practise Committee members.
Sub-committees
Quality Assurance Sub-committee: reviews Fitness to Practise panel members’ decisions.
Panels
Training Appeals Panel: provides an appeal for decisions made under the Scottish Social Services Council Rules for Social Work Training (2003), the Scottish Social Services Council Rules and Requirements for Specialist Training for Social Service Workers in Scotland (2005) and the Rules and Requirements for Awards Developed from the Standard for Childhood Practice (2008).
Employment Appeals Panel: hears appeals of decisions made under SSSC HR policies.
Fitness to Practise Panel: makes decisions in Fitness to Practise cases.