Contact us

Click here to see the whole Children in Scotland staff list

Marion Macleod, Senior Policy and Parliamentary Officer

mmacleod@childreninscotland.org.uk or 0131 222 2435

Marion started her career as a social worker with Lothian Regional Council (where she rose to Principal Officer for Planning, Coordination and Commissioning). She then managed the Changing Children's Services Fund within Edinburgh Council's Education Department. Most recently, Marion was the Principal Officer for Integrated Children's Services in Edinburgh. Over the years, she has participated in a variety of national networks on children's services, worked with numerous voluntary sector organisations, made presentations at conferences/meetings and advised and assisted politicians. In addition to her social work credentials, Marion has an MA in Modern History from Glasgow University.

Sara Collier, Policy Officer
scollier@childreninscotland.org.uk or 0131 222 2412

Sara joined the team in 2008 as an Administration and Information Assistant after three years working at The Scottish Parliament. She also has a honours degree in Sociology from the University of Edinburgh. She was later promoted to Assistant/Policy Research Officer and then to Policy Officer. Sara serves as the secretariat for the Scottish Parliament's Cross Party Group on Children and Young People (Jointly with Youthlink Scotland and as to the contact person for Scotland's Children's Sector Forum.

Jim Stephen, Policy Officer (p/t)

jstephen@childreninscotland.org.uk 0131 222 2445

Jim Stephen joined Children in Scotland in February 2013 and works part time in our policy team. Jim took early retirement from the Scottish Government after heading up their Early Years Team. His main roles were around implementation of the Early Years Framework, pre-school education, childcare, parenting, play and funding of national third sector organisations supporting children, young people and families. Prior to that posting, Jim went on secondment to COSLA for a year to work with their education, children and young people team. Other postings within government include oversight of integrated children's services planning, third sector funding and management of the Changing Children's Services Fund. Jim also headed a team in the Justice Department dealing with drugs policy, with particular focus on treatment and rehabilitation.

Jim's other interests include Vice Chair of Relationships Scotland and Vice Chair of the Scottish Drugs Forum.

Ross Gilligan, Policy Officer

rgilligan@childreninscotland.org.uk or 0131 222 2440

Ross joined the Policy Team in 2013 after more than 10 years working in the Scottish Parliament in various roles having started his career in 1999 as a press officer to MSPs for the Highlands & Islands. Following spells as a television researcher and English language trainer in Germany, Ross returned to Parliament, firstly as researcher to Sarah Boyack MSP before becoming policy adviser to the Shadow Cabinet and wider Labour Group. In that time his portfolio areas included Education & Young People, Housing, Economy & Finance, Environment, Local Government and Health which also involved supporting the Expert Group on Future Options for Social Care chaired by Sir John Arbuthnott. Ross has an honours degree in Contemporary European Studies from the University of Dundee and a Postgraduate Diploma in Journalism from the University of Strathclyde.

Jeni Bainbridge, Policy and Research Assistant (Wed/Thurs)

policyadmin@childreninscotland.org.uk or 0131 222 2422

Jeni joined the policy and research team as Administration and Information Assistant in a part-time capacity in August 2011 after 2 years working within the Corporate Services team, also within Children in Scotland. She came to Children in Scotland after working as a project assistant for a health literacy project within the Scottish Government and as an administrator at the Scottish Parliament. Jeni graduated in 2008 from the University of Edinburgh with an honours degree in French and Politics. During her studies she lived in Paris and Antibes working in various schoools and as a freelance English tutor. Jeni supports the various research projects and policy work undertaken by the policy and research team. She also assists with Scotland's Children's Sector Forum and the Scottish Parliament's Cross Party Group on Children and Young People. In addition to her work with Children in Scotland, Jeni also works part time as a freelance children's advocate with another charity based in Edinburgh.