Janice brings over thirty years of expertise in health and social care, building her career on collaboration, clear communication, and establishing strong, trusting relationships that lead to improved outcomes for individuals requiring care and support. She began as a Registered Nurse within the NHS, specialising in Acute Surgical Admissions and High Dependency until 2000. This clinical background paved the way for several leadership roles, notably as Area Manager for a Nursing & Care Agency, where she managed teams across Scotland to ensure the safe and high-quality placement of staff in a range of Health & Social Care environments. Her experience was further enriched through her work with an international medical assessment company, adding to her broad understanding of health and social care practices.
Since joining Scottish Care in 2012, Janice has held roles as Development Officer, Independent Sector Lead, and is now Joint National Lead for the Partners for Integration team (PfI). In these positions, she has provided strategic direction, strengthened sector connections with decision-makers, and advocated for the independent sector within Health and Social Care Partnerships throughout Scotland. Her efforts have centred on fostering inclusive partnerships, promoting innovation, and supporting the transformation of care to address the evolving needs of Scotland’s older population.
Janice is skilled in strategic planning, improvement initiatives, and sector engagement, and is recognised for her calm, pragmatic approach to navigating the complexities of social care. She has contributed to national workstreams, focusing on making resources more inclusive and relevant across all settings. Her leadership style is people-centred and grounded, combining strategic foresight with an understanding of day-to-day provider challenges.
Above all, Janice is committed to creating a collaborative environment where the sector feels informed, supported, and connected, and where genuine partnership working enhances experiences for those accessing care. Her work is guided by the principle that older people should remain valued members of their communities, with a focus on personal outcomes and improved quality of life.
What are you currently working on
In my role as Joint National Lead for the Partners for Integration team (PFI), my priority is to strengthen the ISL network throughout Scotland. I strive to align local and national priorities, ensuring that providers have a genuine influence in decision-making. By encouraging collaboration, enhancing communication, and nurturing a supportive team environment, I aim to make sure everyone in social care feels valued and equipped to contribute to improved outcomes.
As I look to the future, I remain committed to elevating the independent sector’s role in national discussions, participating in collaborative events, and supporting ISLs as they navigate new developments and challenges. My focus is on empowering our sector to drive positive change with confidence .
Recently, I was invited to join the Nursing and Midwifery Council’s Professional Strategic Advisory Group (PSAG), where experienced professionals help guide the NMC’s strategic direction. As PSAG grows more diverse and influential, I will ensure that social care perspectives are well represented, sharing current insights to help prepare for innovation and emerging sector risks.
In the coming months, I and the ISLs will be involved in organising our annual PFI event, contributing to sessions at the Scottish Care Home and Care at Home conferences and awards, I hope to explore how artificial intelligence can support the PFI Team’s work. Through ongoing collaboration and innovation, I aim to help social care remain connected, forward-looking, and dedicated to delivering quality support to those who depend on our services.
Moving forward, I will continue to lead and support the ISL network at a national level, helping to ensure our collective efforts are unified and that local initiatives align effectively with broader national objectives.
I’ll continue to advocate for the independent sector’s input in national planning, participate in collaborative events, and support ISLs as they address emerging challenges and explore new opportunities.
Future Plans ,Areas of Work and Upcoming Events
In my role as Joint National Lead for the Partners for Integration team (PfI), my current work centres on strengthening national consistency, supporting collaborative improvement, and ensuring the independent sector’s voice continues to influence strategic reform across Scotland.
A major area of focus is delivering against our Scottish Government grant objectives, providing assurance through quarterly reporting and feeding local intelligence into national policy development. This includes progressing work on Self Directed Support, infection prevention and control strategic development, and workforce sustainability, ensuring that independent sector perspectives shape national priorities and implementation plans.
I continue to work closely with Independent Sector Leads across HSCPs, supporting them to navigate local pressures, share best practice, and align their work with national reform activity. This includes providing guidance, troubleshooting challenges, and promoting cohesion across the network to reduce duplication and increase impact.
Event and engagement work remains central. Following our successful 2025 national event, Beyond the Boundaries – Co Creating the Future of Care, I am progressing follow up actions, gathering learning, and supporting the development of future programmes that highlight innovation, partnership working, and frontline experiences.
I also play an active role in national forums and strategic groups, ensuring the independent sector contributes to major collaborative workstreams. Recent activity includes ongoing involvement in IPC strategic planning and contributing intelligence to national discussions on rights based, person centred care.
Across all areas, my focus is on strengthening communication, building clarity across the PfI network, and ensuring that the sector remains visible, valued and influential through a period of ongoing change.
