About us

Ben Farrugia

DIRECTOR

Ben has been the Director of Social Work Scotland since October 2018, and a member since 2014. Prior to his current role, Ben was part of the senior management team at CELCIS (Scotland’s Centre for excellence for children’s care and protection) at the University of Strathclyde, responsible for the organisation’s research, policy and consultancy offer. He has worked for the Scottish Government (looked after children team) and in Westminster (on children’s services and regional economic development).

Jennifer Rezendes

HEAD OF POLICY AND WORKFORCE

Jennifer joined us in July 2021. Prior to this, she was a Social Work Service Manager in Fife HSCP, with responsibility for Adult Services in the West of Fife, including strategic lead for Adult Support and Protection and Sensory Impairment. Jennifer has been a qualified social worker for over 20 years, graduating from Glasgow University in 1999 with a Master in Social Work. She brings a wide operational and strategic experience to the post, drawn from her career in local authority and HSCPs, working in Children, Adult, and specialist Social Work teams.

Corinne Groeneveldt

SENIOR ADMIN & FINANCE OFFICER

Corinne has been with Social Work Scotland since April 2019 and manages the support of the organisation and the ever-expanding team with anything related to administration, finance, HR and IT. Before joining the organisation, Corinne graduated with an MSc in Gender History & Policy from the University of Glasgow and she brings her knowledge and expertise into the work we do and the projects we support.

Flora Aldridge

COMMUNICATIONS & ENGAGEMENT MANAGER

Flora spent 15 years in the public and third sector, working across consultation, equality and diversity, and welfare advice before specialising in adult social care and integration communications. She moved to Scotland in 2018 to study housing at the University of Glasgow and brings a keen interest in housing, equality and diversity to her role at Social Work Scotland, where she heads up all our communications and engagement work, including our annual conference.

Lauryn Fetter

ADMINISTRATION AND BUSINESS ASSISTANT

Lauryn recently completed a Modern Apprenticeship with us, and following a promotion works closely with Corinne on Admin and Finance, as well as providing support on Communications. Before working here she completed her Foundation Apprenticeship in Business Skills, whilst doing this she took part in volunteering at her local community centre helping the Youth Workers during the community youth clubs. Lauryn enjoys working with the team and communicating with our members.

Vivien Thomson

CHILDREN & FAMILIES POLICY & PRACTICE LEAD

Vivien practiced in local government social work for over 30 years, joining us in October 2020 after various service management roles in her host authority. Her experience ranges from early years to disability and corporate parenting, and front-line management to developmental and strategic roles. Involvement in fostering and kinship policy initiatives, and cross-sector work are particular features. Alongside formal work Vivien is trustee for a homelessness organisation, child protection advisor for several charities, and volunteers with a charity developing alternatives to institutional care in central Asia. Her hobbies include baking, gardening, reading and walking.

Sharon Glasgow

PROTECTING CHILDREN SOCIAL WORK POLICY & PRACTICE ADVISOR

Laura Kerr

ADULT SOCIAL WORK POLICY & PRACTICE LEAD

Laura has been qualified since 2003 and has worked across the third and statutory sectors as a practitioner, team leader and strategic lead. Key interests during her social work career have been homelessness, substance use and mental health, as well as strategic planning in health and social care more broadly.

Sharon Stirrat

JUSTICE SOCIAL WORK POLICY & PRACTICE LEAD

Sharon joined Social Work Scotland in October 2022, having had a social work career spanning 39 years, working as a front-line worker and manager. Sharon’s roles included posts within two local authorities over 29 years and then she moved to the post of Director of Operations with a Scottish Third sector organisation. Sharon helped to establish the first national public social partnership with a focus on mentoring women within the criminal justice system. She was seconded into the Scottish Government’s “Reducing re-offending” programme which involved working across several work-streams, writing national guidance and leading on training. Sharon had the opportunity to Chair the Justice Standing committee for a period during 2012.

Calum Campbell

DIGITAL SOCIAL WORK POLICY AND PRACTICE ADVISOR

Calum has been with Social Work Scotland since January 2020, initially as a Project Officer in the Self-directed Support Team and now as the Digital Social Work Policy and Practice Advisor. Calum brings 13 years of experience of working in both social care and social work in a variety of roles and settings. As a qualified social worker, Calum has practised across both statutory and third sector settings. The use of digital solutions has been threaded throughout Calum’s social work career, and he is passionate about ensuring we future proof the profession, and that social work adapts to the demands of our digitalised citizens and culture, because digital social work has the potential to positively change the way we work and improve outcomes for people.