The Care Inspectorate today announced the appointment of a new top-level executive team charged with directing the organisation's work, as part of a major restructuring exercise.
Following the appointments of Karen Anderson as Depute Chief Executive/Director of Strategic Development, and Gordon Weir as Director of Corporate Services, the Care Inspectorate has today appointed Dr Robert Peat as its Director of Inspection. He comes from Angus Council with an extensive background in social work and drug and alcohol treatment. Dr Peat will oversee the work of almost three hundred inspectors charged with regulating and improving the care of children and adults, and criminal justice social work, across Scotland.
The new executive team has been appointed ahead of a change in the way the inspectors will work. Instead of working on a regional basis, they will now work in specialist units, drawing on their own frontline experience to inspect the type of services they have direct experience of running.
Annette Bruton, the Chief Executive appointed in 2012, says the changes are essential in driving forward the work of the Care Inspectorate, which took over the work of the old Care Commission, the Social Work Inspection Agency and the child protection functions of HMIE.
Annette Bruton, Chief Executive of the Care Inspectorate, said:
"The way children and adults are cared for in Scotland is changing, and so are we.
"The majority of services are performing well. Our role as a regulator will not be diluted, but the days of tick-box regulation are over. I want our talented staff to be at the heart of the improvement agenda, using our expertise to make every care service in Scotland the highest standard.
"Every person using a care service in Scotland should receive good quality care that reflects their needs and promotes their rights. Our restructure will strengthen our work with people who deliver and use services, and their carers, to make this happen."
"The senior directors I have appointed will play a crucial role in focusing what we do and making sure the care provided to people in Scotland is world class. I am particularly pleased to welcome Dr Peat, who brings with him a vast wealth of experience in social care and his outstanding knowledge of treating drug and alcohol abuse.
"The changes we have made to the Care Inspectorate are significant, but essential in order to develop the work we do and give confidence to people across Scotland."
Newly appointed Director of Inspection Dr Robert Peat said:
"This is an exciting time to be joining the Care Inspectorate as it further strengthens its role in scrutiny and improvement. Ensuring positive outcomes for people who use care services will continue to be at the heart of all our work, and that's why we will strive to get the right balance between regulation, inspection, and improvement. I am looking forward to working with everyone at the Care Inspectorate and partner organisations in taking this important agenda forward."
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Notes to editors
Biographies of New Executive Team
Annette Bruton, Chief Executive
Annette joined the Care Inspectorate in February 2012. Originally a Geography teacher, she worked in learning support and as a senior manager developing the Higher Still curriculum. She was appointed as Scotland's Chief Inspector of Education in 2005 before taking over as Director of Education, Culture and Sport at Aberdeen City Council in 2009.
Karen Anderson, Director of Strategic Development / Depute Chief Executive
Karen started her career in community education before spending a number of years working in service delivery, strategic development and communications in the care sector. In addition to her strategic responsibilities, she is the Care Inspectorate's directorate lead for the new joint inspections of children's services across Scotland. Prior to being appointed to the Care Inspectorate, she was Acting Director of Strategic Development for the Care Commission and played a key role in setting up the Institute for Research and Innovation in Social Services (IRISS).
Dr Robert Peat, Director of Inspection
Robert joins the Care Inspectorate from Angus Council where he was the Director of Social Work and Depute Chief Executive, and also headed up work in the fields of adult care services, mental health services, and criminal justice social work. Prominent in the Association of Directors of Social Work, he also chairs the Scottish Government's Alcohol and Drugs Partnership Governance and Accountability Group and a specialist sub group of the Drugs Strategy Delivery Commission.
Gordon Weir, Director of Corporate Services
Gordon joined the Care Inspectorate with a background in further education, serving as Assistant Principal (Finance & Resources) at Adam Smith College and in senior posts at Fife College and Glenrothes College. Prior to that he was Head of Corporate Services at Tayside Fire Brigade and Principal Accountant at Tayside Regional Council, before taking up post with the Care Commission in 2007.
For more information please contact the Holyrood Partnership on 0131 5612244.