Foster Care Connect was established in 2004.
For over 30 years I have been fortunate enough to have worked with children in residential care and have led and managed staff teams which has been hugely rewarding. For 25 years, I worked at Kibble Education and Care Centre in Paisley, one of Scotland’s oldest charities. I worked in a range of services including residential care, day services, secure care and Intensive Fostering. I gained my Diploma in Social Work from Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen and I am a Registered Manager. The welfare of children and young people are at the heart of my work, and I am dedicated to helping children and young people reach their full potential and have positive life experiences.
I joined Foster Care Connect as Director in July 2017. Foster Care Connect provides high quality, stable foster placements and I am immensely proud to be leading a very experienced, highly professional team and working with foster carers who are making a lasting difference to children’s lives.
Karen Gillie (Lead for Human Resources & Finance)
Having started with Foster Care Connect in February 2015 my role has changed and diversified a great deal in that time to meet the needs of the agency. My qualifications include an HND in Business Studies and CeMAP (mortgage advice). I had over 17 years Financial Services experience, before joining Foster Care Connect, encompassing Sales Advice, Administration and Management. I have also gained Marketing experience from previously working with a major press organisation. I have British Horse Society (BHS) qualifications and regularly teach both children and adults horse-riding at local riding establishments. During 2021 I completed a PDA in Operational Leadership and Management at SCQF Level 8.
Lisa Angus (Lead for Learning, Development & Wellbeing)
Once upon a time I thought I’d be a scientist but decided working with people was much more interesting. Almost 30 years ago I began my journey as a Learning Disability Nurse, supporting children, young people and their families working in a respite unit for individuals with complex needs. I moved on to lecturing in Child, Health and Social Care for 20 years at colleges in Edinburgh and the Borders, taking on the role of Depute Principal before leaving Further Education. It was during this time that I achieved a Post Graduate Teaching Qualification. As a lifelong learning enthusiast, I started with Foster Care Connect in 2012, supporting foster carers with their learning, development and wellbeing. In 2020 I completed a Masters in Child and Youth Care Studies which has enhanced my understanding of the importance of relationships in healing trauma. I consider myself very lucky to be working with foster carers, children, young people and staff at Foster Care Connect.
Julie McCallum (Lead for Social Work)
I have worked with Children and Families for over 30 years. Initially starting my career as a qualified Nursery Nurse, working in Children’s Centres, Family Centres, Psychological Services and Family Support. I completed a Diploma in Managing Integrated Services at Dundee University to support my role as a Family Support Coordinator. During this time I also studied Systemic Family Therapy and BA Social Work Hons on a distance learning basis at Robert Gordon University. I then worked as a Children and Families Social Worker in Falkirk and Inverclyde whilst undertaking freelance assessment for Foster Care Connect prior to starting my role as Supervising Social Worker with Foster Care Connect. In May 2021 I achieved a Graduate Certificate Practice Learning Qualification in Social Work Services further enabling Foster Care Connect to provide Practice Teacher support to Social Work Student placements.
Jayne Gracie (Learning & Development Co-ordinator)
I graduated as a Social Worker in 1987 and worked as a local authority children and families Social Worker, a college Lecturer in Health and Social Care and, an Independent Form F Assessor for a fostering agency. In 2001 I moved to the Scottish Borders with my family and began work at Borders College as a lecturer/ programme manager for a range of care course. In 2009 I became Head of Faculty for Care and Access and supported the curriculum delivery of a range of courses for school pupils, young people and adults who had a learning disability and/or difficulty and adult learners wishing to gain a care qualification. In 2017 I became an Assistant Principal for rural skills courses at Newtown St Boswells and latterly supported educational quality improvement and the development of e-learning. My qualifications include BA Applied Social Studies, Post Graduate Certificate in Education and SVQ 4 in Leadership & Management. The opportunity to combine relevant work experiences in social care along with learning and development as part of the coordinator post at Foster Care Connect was too good to miss and am delighted to have joined the team.
Danielle Halifax (Trainee Social Worker)
I am currently in the final year of my studies towards a BA (Hons) in Social Work. I have worked previously as a Nanny for a number of years to 2 siblings from newborn to primary school age. I have also gained a diploma in Infant Support and Perinatal Mental Health through a local charity that supports new mums pre and post-delivery in the Scottish Borders. I have voluntary experience within Citizens Advice that allowed me to work with individuals facing a number of different issues. I joined Foster Care Connect in April 2019 as a Social Work Assistant. I am very proud to work alongside such an experienced team and carers who are just as passionate to make a difference in the lives of the children and young people we support.
Jacqueline Affleck (Social Work Assistant)
I joined the team at Foster Care Connect as a Social Work Assistant in June 2022. I have previously had various roles within the Social Care sector. In my previous role I worked in a residential home where is supported young people with additional needs and sight loss. I have gained experience in supporting children and their families and I feel passionate about ensuring young people feel safe and valued.
Rachel Jackson (Social Work Assistant)
I have previously had various roles within the childcare sector and have worked with a wide range of children and families. I am a fun, motivated and engaged person who enjoys working with a variety of different people and I am passionate about making a difference to young people’s lives. I am very excited to have joined the team here at Foster Care Connect in January 2023.
Louise Murdoch (Administrative Assistant)
My qualifications include a SVQ Level 2 in Health and Social Care which I achieved through an open learning course whilst I worked as a Home Support Worker. I have customer service and retail experience which I gained from my previous employment in the financial and knitwear industry. I also have a Higher Administration qualification.
We also work with a number of Form F Assessors – experienced social workers who carry out independent assessments of people who would like to become foster carers with us.
For opportunities to work for Foster Care Connect, see our Work With Us page.