Joanne has been in her current role since January 2012. With 20 years' experience in the Social Care profession, she has gained significant experience and expertise in the area of Adoption and Permanancy Planning both in England and Scotland.

Joanne started her career as a Social Care Worker supporting adults with mental health difficulties before qualifying as a Social Worker in 1999. Joanne has worked as a Children and Families' Social Worker/ Senior Practitioner with Warrington Borough Council and Knowlsey MBC Council.

Joanne relocated in 2005 to Glasgow, initially taking up a Children and Families Senior Practitioner post with Falkirk Council, before moving to a Team Leader post (Children and Families) with North Lanarkshire Council in 2006. During this role Joanne had strategic responsibility for Child Protection, Permanency Planning and Adoption.

Since 2010, Joanne has also been the Chair of Barnardos Scotland (Glasgow’s) Fostering Panel.

Joanne holds a BA Hons degree in Urban Policy, Race Relations and Applied Social Sciences (Lancaster University), a post graduate diploma in Social Work (University Of Central Lancashire) and a Post Graduate Certificate in Public Service Management (Stirling University).