With over 30 years’ experience in local authority, Dave brings a wealth of expertise to his role as Independent Sector Lead (ISL) with Scottish Care, which he took up in November 2022. The last 14 years of his local authority career were dedicated to social care, starting with a brief period in finance, before progressing into commissioning and contracting with a particular focus on the care home sector. His leadership and strategic insight were further demonstrated in his promotion to Team Leader in 2019, managing a broader portfolio across social care.
His longstanding collaboration with the local social care sector, alongside working collaboratively with his ISL predecessor in his commissioning and contracting role, has enabled a seamless transition into the ISL post. He brings a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing the social care sector today.
He believes strongly that—no matter how big or small—the role each of us plays in health and social care is vital. At its heart, the sector is about helping others, even in the face of adversity.
What are you currently working on
I work across care homes, care at home, day care and supported living services, acting as a key link between providers in Perth and Kinross and the HSCP. A central part of my role is helping providers navigate change, including commissioning developments, workforce pressures, financial sustainability challenges and increasing system and regulatory demands. I support providers through regular forums, direct engagement and one to one liaison, ensuring concerns are heard and addressed where possible.
One of the key groups I am heavily involved in is the P&K HSCP Workforce Steering Group, covering important issues such as health and wellbeing initiatives, education and learning workstreams, and recruitment / retention programmes. This work focuses on sharing opportunities, piloting new training initiatives, contributing to national frameworks, and ensuring meaningful involvement with independent providers to address sector specific needs.
Throughout late 2024 I was heavily involved in the creation, development and implementation of the Care Home Trusted Assessor (CHTA) role in Perth & Kinross, which has expanded significantly over its first year and now supports 25 care homes over multiple hospital sites in our area. I continue to support the role’s local growth and development whilst promoting it’s national profile through conferences, briefings, and cross HSCP engagement, helping position P&K HSCP as a centre of excellence and influencing adoption of the CHTA in other areas.
I also continue to play a key role in the Tayside Care Home Collaborative Board (TCHCB) working collaboratively together with my Angus and Dundee colleagues in bringing independent provider insight into strategic planning and policy development. Our engagement with care home managers ensures frontline experience shapes TCHCB priorities and enable meaningful co production through active involvement in workstreams and improvement initiatives.
Future Plans ,Areas of Work and Upcoming Events
“Myth busting” Career Event into the Care Sector”
As part of the HSCP recruitment and retention group I played a key part in a pilot Career Event into the Care Sector delivered at Auchterarder High School in August 2025, targeting S2 to S5 pupils.
The event, co-led by Developing Young Workforce (DYW) gave young people an early, realistic insight into careers in social care, including progression routes into roles such as social care, nursing, learning disability and mental health.
It was aimed at pupils making subject choices, those interested in entry-level care roles, and learners considering college or university who would benefit from this hands-on interactive sessions aligned to the care-sector.
Next Steps (Refining for 2026 with DYW) – Following evaluation of the 2025 pilot with pupils, schools and care partners, we will:
• Refine the model with DYW to align with workforce priorities and career pathways
• Strengthen employer involvement and progression messaging
• Enhance interactive, practical elements
• Identify interested school pupils and roll out a scalable model for 2026 events
Go4Gold is a joint initiative led by Perth & Kinross Health and Social Care Partnership in partnership with Perth & Kinross Care Home Activity Network (CHAN), day centres and day opportunities. First launched in 2012, the annual event was created to bring older people together to promote physical activity, wellbeing and a strong sense of community. While activities continued within individual settings from 2020, 2025 proudly marked the return of live events across localities. As lead for the CHAN and the Go4Gold steering group, planning is already underway to make Go4Gold bigger and better in 2026.
