Professor Helen Minnis, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University of Glasgow. Joint Principal Investigator and expert on trials of interventions to improve the mental health of chidlren and families involved in social care.
Helen has experience in epidemiology and trials. Helen has had a clinical research interest in the mental health problems of children in foster and adoptive placements for many years and, recently, her team has been focusing on testing the cost-effectiveness of therapeutic interventions for this group of children and their families. This includes an ongoing randomised controlled trial of an infant mental health service for abused and neglected chidlren (BeST?).
Matt Forde, Partnerships & Development Director, NSPCC, Joint Principal Investigator / Lead Applicant with expertise in developing and scaling up integrated health and social care models.
Matt joined the NSPCC in 2010 as first National Head for Scotland. Previously, worked in statutory children's services, researching childhood experiences of offenders led him to develop evidence-based prevention services. Matt is a registered social worker who is active in policy, practice development, and research projects. In 2014, completed a Winston Churchill fellowship travelling in the USA and Europe to explore insights in preventing child abuse and upholding children's rights.
Judith Fisher, Project Manager, University of Glasgow.
Judith brings the experience of two decades of combining research and policy work with direct work with children. Judith previously worked at the University of Strathclyde and as a freelance research and education consultant, working on projects with UNICEF, Shelter and SafeLives. Judith trained as a Play Therapist, which she continues to combine with her work at the University of Glasgow. Judith has BSc in Psychology from the University of Edinburgh and an MSc in Play Therapy from Queen Margaret University.
Sharon Graham, Patient and Public Lead, University of Glasgow.
Sharon has experience of the care system and professional experience of supporting parents and families who access social care. Sharon works in person centred and trauma informed way and will work in partnership with two groups of parent collaborators from Glasgow and Bromley to shape the development of the intervention and research.
Lindsay Dalgarno, Research Assistant, University of Glasgow.
Lindsay is an experienced researcher on all aspects of social and health focused mixed methods studies. and expertise in qualitative research and analysis. Lindsay's interests include societal impact on quality of life, health and wellbeing across a range of adult and child populations. Lindsay has worked on feasibility and pilot studies to multisite randomised controlled trials including formal process evaluations.
Karen Bates, Specialist Partnership Assistant Director, NSPCC.
Karen has a wealth of experience in social work, direct work with children and families and significant management experience across a broad range of services. Karen has been involved in the development and delivery of different research projects, collaborating with academics and service leads to evaluate and scale up services. Karen has a BSc (Econ) in Psychology and Social Anthropology, a Dip SW and MA in Advanced SW.
Vicky Allen, Partnership Development Manager, NSPCC.
Vicky has a background in public sector Early Help and Preventive service development with a particular focus on Early Childhood. As well as leading services Vicky's career has included working as a practitioner with children, young people (0-19 years) and their families across a broad range of areas. Vicky works with NSPCC in Service Development and has a BSc in Child and Family Studies.
Emily Robson-Brown, Acting Development Manager, NSPCC.
Emily has a background in research evaluation, and worked with charities and local authorities in various areas with focus on social justice, specialises in Violence Against Women and Girls/domestic abuse and, Relationship and Sex Education (RSE). Emily works with NSPCC in Service Development, and has worked on projects in child brain development, prevention for child sexual abuse and families facing multiple adversity. Emily has a BSc in Psychology with Sociology, an MSc in Psychological Approaches to Health and a PhD with a focus on young people, gender, sexuality and domestic abuse. Emily is also an Education and Welling Specialist for Brook.
Judith Gaertner, Social Work Recruitment Co-ordinator, University of Glasgow.
Judith qualified as a Social Worker in Vienna, and subsquently worked in West Dunbartonshire. During that time, Judith developed knowledge and experience of living with and supporting individuals with Autism, children with special educational needs, unpaid carers/parents, people in recovery of alcohol and drug addiction, and life trauma, and GP patients with a wide range of challenges. Judith worked for Social Work Departments, Education, Health and Social Care Partnership and the Voluntary Sector. Judith enjoys getting to know and supporting people. Being part of this research programme is a new area for Judith, and is proud to be able to contribute her knowledge of professional and life experience.
Jaycee Pownall, Research Associate, University of Glasgow.
Jaycee has 18 years' research/teaching experience. Jaycee has worked on a broad range of qualitative and quantitative projects, with a particular focus on neurodiversity and health and well-being. Interests include exploring sex and relationship issues for young people with intellectual disabilities and their families and recently exploring alternative models of education for youths who experience school attendance difficulties. Jaycee is committed to working within a research framework of improving the health, well-being, and rights of vulnerable and socially excluded individuals.
Irene O'Neill, Senior Business Support Administrator, University of Glasgow / NHS GG&C
Irene has worked with the team for over 30 years and have built up a wealth of experience, for example organising conferences and rising funds to support the work of the department. Irene provides administrative support to various projects, which includes budget-monitoring, site file maintenance, website development/maintenance.