Our Tribe

 "We believe in all of our people, we are committed to each other in creating opportunities, fulfilling our purpose, feeling loved and having a sense of belonging". 

Managing Director - Jenny

 Jenny has worked as the registered Residential Manager in a Residential Childcare Service during the past 12 years and in various management roles within Residential Services during the past 20 years. Jenny previously worked for the ‘Together Trust’ for 10 years in residential and held a part time position for 11 years with Action for Children working with young carers in a variety of roles such as a development worker, group worker and project coordinator. Jenny holds a plethora of professional qualifications: NVQ3 in Playwork, PPA Diploma in Playgroup Practice, ILM Management Diploma, a NVQ4 in Care and a NVQ 4 in Management. Jenny has been part of a pilot project in Social Pedagogy since 2006 part of which was the completion of a Leadership programme in Social Pedagogy, the attendance of Network meetings and the dissemination of related practice within the staff teams she manages.

Head of Care, Learning & Development - Eleni

 Eleni has worked in various roles within Residential Childcare settings, including management roles, over the past 8 years. Prior to that, Eleni worked with children and young people with Additional Support Needs in various Educational Settings. Eleni has an undergraduate degree in Social and Educational Policy and a MEd in Inclusive Education with Specialisation in Autism Spectrum Disorders from the University of Glasgow. Eleni is currently studying towards a MSc in Advanced Residential Child Care at the University of Strathclyde. Eleni was always passionate about working with young people. Eleni strongly believes in the therapeutic, healing and empowering role relationships between practitioners and young people can have for the young people in our care. 

Director of Estates- Lee 

 Lee started his career in engineering and completed the SVQ 3 building power plants/ naval ships. After 12 years in engineering he has decided to change his career path. He has watched his mother all his life work in residential children's homes and has always had a great interest in it. He knew one day he would love to help the children too. He believes passionately in equality, team building and good culture and likes to drive on these topics to make sure work is a happy environment for everyone. He believes that everyone should get a chance to have a good life, even if they have not had the best start. He believes with the support of Our Promise children will establish a sense of belonging, feel supported , experience happiness and develop the belief that no mountain is too high.

Residential Manager, Ivy Cottage - Elizabeth 

Elizabeth has been the Registered Manager at  Ivy Cottage since its opening in April 2023, as well as been the Manager at Ivy, Elizabeth has completed her Equality Diversity and Inclusion ‘Train the Trainer’ and is the Our Promise Champion for Equality Diversity and Inclusion. Elizabeth has recently completed a Social Pedagogy course in Relational Leadership. Elizabeth has 8 years of experience in Residential Childcare Services and was a registered Manager of her own Nursery and Out of School Service ‘Weans World Johnstone Ltd’ for 15 years.  Elizabeth has recently completed her SVQ level 4 in Social Services Children and Young People and SVQ level 4  in Care Services Leadership and Management, has a Professional Development Award in Childhood Studies and an SVQ level 3 in Children’s Learning and Development, a PDA in Supervision. In January 2025 Elizabeth completed a CPD in Trauma Informed Leadership and DDP Pace training.  Elizabeth has been a volunteer with Mermaids supporting families of Gender Diverse children and young people. 

Residential Manager, Robin Cottage - Louise

Louise started her journey within social care supporting adults who were homeless and managing a variety of issues including, drug and alcohol abuse, domestic violence, criminal justice. Louise recognised that many of the individuals she was supporting had been living within residential child care settings and had a history of trauma and adverse childhood experiences. This led to Louise gaining a role within a residential setting where she has developed a passion for developing trauma informed practice within her team allowing them to look beyond young people's behaviours and understand this can be a form of communication. Louise has developed throughout her career and had been working as an Assistant Manager for the past 3 years before beginning her role as a manager with Our Promise. Louise has achieved her HNC and SVQ3 in social care and also her SVQ4 in Children and Young People. Louise also has a strong focus on ensuring the wellbeing of her team and has developed a plan for Promoting Positive Mental Health in the Workplace. Louise also recently trained to be a facilitator for CALM training and is now delivering this training across the organisation. Louise is focused on learning through reflective practice and is encouraging this within her team. 

Senior Therapeutic Residential Practitioner, Ivy Cottage - Declan

Declan has been a Senior member of the Ivy Cottage staff team since its opening in April 2024 and has been working within different social care services for over 5 years now. Declan has an HNC and SVQ level 3 in Children and young people, he has also completed the SVQ level 4 qualification in Social Services Children and Young People. Declan recently completed CPD Trauma Informed Leadership training and DDP Pace training.  Declan recently completed his Fire Safety and Warden Train the trainer and facilitates the staff Fire Warden Training for Our Promise. Declan has attended lots of different training and is very experienced in supporting very vulnerable young people. Declan’s passion is driving change in people’s lives. 

Declan is a member of the RALF(Reflection and Action Learning Forum’s) group created by Celcis(Centre for Excellence for Children’s Care and Protection) where he has completed the training to be a facilitator. Declan has had recent meetings in January 2025 with the Participation manager for Supporting Throughcare and Aftercare Teams and is hoping to join their steering group. Declan  delivered a webinar for Children in Scotland in March 2025. Declan will be facilitating the monthly management RALF meetings from September 2025. 

Senior Therapeutic Residential Practitioner, Ivy Cottage - Andrea

Andrea has been a member of the Ivy Cottage since its opening in 2023, Andrea became a Senior practitioner at Ivy in July 2024. Andrea considers herself as a kind and caring person who will do everything in her power to help people. She is an experienced practitioner with experience in supporting vulnerable children and adults over the past 9 years. Andrea has recently completed an HNC in Social Services and she has also completed the SVQ level 3 qualification and SVQ level 4 meaning she is fully qualified as a senior residential practitioner. Andrea completed Train the Trainer in Medication Administration 2024 and a CPD Trauma Informed Leadership in January 2025. Andrea’s hobbies include reading, walking and a bit of cycling. She enjoys a variety of movies, music and tv series. Andrea would like to think she is a nurturing person to be around and she loves to see young people grow and thrive.  

Senior Therapeutic Residential Practitioner, Robin Cottage - Gemma

 Gemma has a degree in Psychology and has recently completed her SVQ4 in Children and young people. Gemma has worked in Children's residential since 2014. Gemma has done a variety of training including Autism, Borderline Personality Disorder, Mental Health First Aid and has a PDA Level 7 in Health and Social Care Supervision. Most recently Gemma has completed Relational Leadership training with Thempra, Social Pedagogy on May 23. Gemma is passionate about achieving the best outcomes for our young people and our team. Gemma is currently studying towards a MSc in Advanced Residential Childcare at the University of Strathclyde.

Senior Therapeutic Residential Practitioner, Ivy Cottage - Sheridan

Sheridan has a degree in psychology and a SVQ3 in Children and Young People and has previous experience of working in a variety of different social care settings supporting both adults and children with a variety of mental and physical disabilities including autism spectrum disorder and brain injuries. Sheridan is able to create and implement positive behaviour support plans to promote young people achieve their own goals and outcomes. Sheridan has a good understanding of the trauma informed approach and uses this well in his practice. 

Therapeutic Residential Practitioners 

 Our practitioners are the heart of our service. They bring compassion, consistency, and professional skill to their work every day, building safe, nurturing relationships that help young people feel secure, understood, and valued. Working together as a team, they create stable, supportive environments where young people can grow, develop confidence, and move toward positive futures. 

Business Support Manager - Kelly