The Department of Health has announced four reappointments of Non-Executive Members to the Northern Ireland Social Care Council (NISCC).
They are as follows:
- Brenda Maitland - from 1 April 2019 to a date not later than 30 September 2022.
- Catherine McPhillips - from 1 April 2019 to a date not later than 2 November 2022.
- Anne O’Reilly - from 1 April 2019 to a date not later than 30 November 2022.
- Lee Wilson - from 1 April 2019 to a date not later than 31 August 2022.
These appointments carry a time commitment of 2 days per month and attract an annual remuneration of £6,559.
NISCC is responsible for registering and regulating social care staff by maintaining a register of the workforce and conducting inquiries into allegations of misconduct; in the event that individuals are found unfit to practice on grounds of misconduct, bad practice, negligence, abuse or ill-health, the Council has powers to suspend, vary or remove registration; publishing Codes of Practice for employees and employers and promoting, developing, approving and regulating training and education, at qualifying and post-qualifying level, of social care staff.
The Council is also the Northern Ireland component of the UK sector skills council partnership Skills for Care and Development which has the responsibility of ensuring that an appropriately skilled and qualified workforce is available.
The board of the Council comprises of a Non-Executive Chair and 12 Non-Executive members.
The appointments were made in accordance with the Code of Practice issued by the Commissioner for Public Appointments for Northern Ireland.
Notes to editors:
- Brenda Maitland’s interest in the NISCC was prompted by experience as a carer. She has a background in the private sector with experience in human resources, leadership and development, governance and risk management. She has an engineering degree and is a member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development. She has served in a number of public bodies including the Nursing and Midwifery Council, the Labour Relations Agency and the Charity Commission. Brenda has declared she has not engaged in any political activity in the last five years.
- Catherine McPhillips Chairs the NISCC Professional in Practice Partnership Committee. Catherine is a qualified social worker and has worked in the profession for over 30 years. She has had extensive experience in a range of professional and managerial posts up to her retirement from her post as Head of Primary Mental Health Care for the Southern Health & Social Care Trust in October 2012. Catherine has played a key role towards the development of social work expertise in Mental Health Services. She was an Approved Social Worker and was involved in the training and development of Approved Social Work candidates. Catherine is a voluntary member of the Cruse Bereavement Southern Area Management Committee. Catherine has declared she has not engaged in any political activity in the last five years.
- Anne O’Reilly has over 25 years’ experience in the voluntary and community sector. Anne worked in the age sector for over 20 years both as CEO of Age Concern and Age NI, managing a range of care services and community based programmes for older people throughout that period. She also has extensive experience in the women’s sector; as Chair of NI Rural Women’s Network, Chair of Women’s Resource and Development Agency. Anne is also a Non-Executive Director of Belfast Health and Social Care committee with a particular brief for carers and PPI and also chairs the Trust Social Care Committee. Anne is also a short term professional foster carer with Barnardos. Anne has declared she has not engaged in any political activity in the last five years.
- Lee Wilson holds an MA in Administration and Law and brings 20 years of experience as a Finance Manager in a local Health Trust to the role. He was previously a Board Member of the Consumer Council for Northern Ireland and is currently a Board Member of the Northern Ireland Medical and Dental Training Agency where he is Chair of the Governance and Risk Committee. Lee has declared he has not engaged in any political activity in the last five years.
- There are no specific qualifications for appointment. Each person is appointed to act in a personal capacity and not to represent any particular interest or group.
- All appointments are made on merit and political activity plays no part in the selection process. However, the Commissioner for Public Appointments for Northern Ireland requires the political activity of appointees to be published.
- For media enquiries please contact the DoH Press Office team on 028 9052 0575 or email pressoffice@health-ni.gov.uk Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer on 028 9037 8110. Follow us on Twitter @healthdpt.