Scottish Ministers appoint members through open competition and 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.
The Council has set up an Audit and Assurance Committee, which meets quarterly, and several other committees, such as the Fitness to Practise Committee and Special Appeals Committee. We also have some formal panels. You can read about our committees, sub-committees and panels here.
You can find out about how the SSSC is run and held to account here.
Our Council meetings are held using Microsoft Teams webinars and anyone can register to join. You can find out when our Council meetings are and register to join on on our events page.
We publish Council and committee meeting minutes and papers for the past two years. You can find them in our publications library. For earlier minutes and papers email audrey.wallace@sssc.uk.com
Our Council Members must follow our Code of Conduct for Members of the SSSC which you can read on our Governance page.
You can find details of remuneration of Council Members and salaries of senior staff here.
Read about our Council Members below.
Member of the Care Inspectorate Board.
Panel Member for Redress Scotland.
Associate Member of Social Work Scotland.
Appointed as Convener of the SSSC Council from 01 September 2019 to 31 August 2022. Re-appointed from 01 September 2022 to 31 August 2025.
Appointed as Panel Member of Redress Scotland by Scottish Ministers on 28 March 2022.
Membership of Social Work Scotland is by annual membership fee.
June 2023
Maree Allison was appointed Interim Chief Executive in January 2024.
Maree joined the SSSC in 2010 and was appointed Director of Regulation in 2015. Before joining the SSSC Maree was a litigation solicitor working in private practice.
She won In-House Lawyer of the Year (Public Sector) at the Scottish Legal Awards in March 2019.
General Manager of North Edinburgh Childcare.
Director of North Edinburgh Childcare Enterprise Limited.
Appointed as SSSC Council Member from 01 September 2018 to 31 August 2021. Re-appointed from 01 September 2021 to 31 August 2024.
November 2023
Sharon is a social worker with over 27 years’ experience within the third sector. She has helped to shape palliative care for children, young people and their families.
From 1995 to 2016, she served 21 years as Special Constable within Police Scotland.
Sharon’s ongoing personal experience of supporting her son with complex needs through universal services has enriched her practice and driven her passion to advocate for the right support at the right time.
Appointed as SSSC Council Member from 01 December 2023 to 30 November 2026.
January 2024
Honorary President, Scottish Care.
Honorary Professor, University of Dundee.
Trustee and Convener, Board of Directors, Dundee Carers Centre.
Appointed as Scottish Social Services Council Member 01 September 2018 to 31 August 2021. Re-appointed from 01 September 2021 to 31 August 2024.
November 2023
Vice Principal: Curriculum and Attainment of Dundee and Angus College.
Appointed as SSSC Council Member from 01 September 2019 to 31 August 2022. Re-appointed from 01 September 2022 to 31 August 2025.
November 2023
Chair EY Foundation.
Chair (elect) Aberdeen Performing Arts.
Chair of the Independent Review of Adult Disability Payment.
Non-Executive Director of the National Care Group.
Edel has worked in leadership positions for a variety of charity and public sector organisations.
From 2019-2023, Edel served as the CEO of Mencap. Before this, she spent 11 years as the CEO of Cornerstone Community Care. She also previously served as the Chair of The Life Changes Trust and the Scottish Government’s Social Investment Fund. Between 2016-2018, she was the first woman to be President of Aberdeen and Grampian Chamber of Commerce.
Edel is currently an Associate Consultant with PPL, one of the Financial Times’ Leading Management Consultancies in the UK and in the top 5% of B Corps globally.
Edel was awarded an OBE in 2021 in recognition for her services to the public sector and charity.
Appointed as SSSC Council Member from 01 December 2023 to 30 November 2026.
December 2023
Non-Executive Director of Bon Accord Care Ltd
Appointed as SSSC Council Member from 01 September 2019 to 31 October 2022. Re-appointed from 01 September 2022 to 31 August 2025.
June 2023
Non Executive Director of Clyde Valley Homes Group.
Member of full board and Audit and Risk Committee.
November 2023
Chair of the Care Inspectorate Board.
Chairman of Helm Training Ltd.
Chairman of Clacks First Ltd.
Director/Treasurer of Home Start Clackmannanshire.
Chairman of Children’s Panel, Falkirk.
Appointed as Chair of the Care Inspectorate Board from 01 September 2022 to 31 August 2026.
October 2023
Vice Chair of NHS Lothian.
Chair of NHS Lothian Remuneration Committee.
Chair of East Lothian integrated joint Board.
Chair of Integrated Joint Board Chairs and Vice-Chairs Executive.
Chair of Bon Accord Care.
Appointed as SSSC Council Member from 01 September 2019 to 31 August 2022. Re-appointed from 01 September 2022 to 31 August 2025.
Appointed as Chair of NHS Lothian Remuneration Committee from February 2016 to January 2024.
Appointed as Chair of Bon Accord Care from March 2021 to February 2024.
June 2023
Find out more about registering with the SSSC including what qualifications you need and how much it costs.
Discover our free learning resources and how our work can support your learning and development.
Read more about our fitness to practise process, registrant responsibilities and how to make a complaint about a worker.