New Chief Executive appointed 

The Harmeny Board has confirmed the appointment of Neil Squires as Chief Executive to take over from our current C.E.O. Peter Doran when Peter takes early Retirement in July 2010. Neil is currently an Assistant Director with Barnardos, Scotland. In the coming weeks we will add a short profile of Neil on these pages. 

Neil Squires - New Chief Executive of Harmeny from July 2010

Thursday, 14 April 2010

A word from Neil Squires:

Neil is delighted to have been appointed as Chief Executive Officer, saying, “Harmeny has an excellent reputation and I have admired the work of the Trust for many years. I am very much looking forward to working with the board, staff group, children and their families, in order to continue building on the superb outcomes already achieved.”

 After qualifying in 1995, Neil worked as a Children and Families Social Worker in Glasgow for four years before joining Barnardo’s in 1999. Since then he has worked in a variety of roles, including Senior Practitioner with the Riverside Service which provided support for children and families living with HIV; Deputy Manager in a large disability service in the ethnically diverse London Borough of Newham; and Service Manager of Caern, in the Gogarbank area of Edinburgh, which provides residential short breaks for children with learning disabilities. During his time at Caern, Neil played a key role in a successful £1million fundraising appeal for a purpose-built residential unit and was involved in project managing the build as well as a major media campaign. In May 2008, Neil took up the post of Assistant Director and has been responsible for eight Barnardo’s services within the Edinburgh area, including two education services - Blackford Brae School and the Community Support Team - as well as Raft, a residential service for children aged 5-12, who have had multiple placement breakdown.

HARMENY MAKES THE GRADE!

The Care Commission has published the first annual report on the operation of the gradings framework in their inspections. Harmeny has been identified within section 4 of the report as a “Good practice example”. See the full report in our download zone "Making the Grade".

 You know when something special has happened when you still catch yourself several days later smiling.....

          Saturday 6th February, Scotland Women v France Women 

First game in the 2010 6 Nations Rugby Campaign.  Conditions were poor, but the belief and desire from the Team was excellent as they took the field.  We battled to the final whistle, being cheered all the way by the kids and staff of Hawthorn Cottage, and pulled off a memorable victory against France (10-8) for the first time in 7 years!

Lynne Reid 

Having gained my 1st Cap for Scotland in February 2004, I was honored to be asked to Captain the side in 2009 and continue in this role in the 2010 season.  Rugby may not be the obvious choice of sport for many, however having first been ‘talked’ into playing during University I’ve never looked back... Despite breaking both collar bones, left hand and being on the receiving end of several black eyes!  On the plus side the hard work and commitment has certainly had its benefits and I have been fortunate to visit many places and countries through rugby such as Dubai, Canada, South Africa and Europe, so there’s definitely the perks!

All of course couldn’t be achieved without the support of the whole Harmeny Team. From the staff and ‘friendly banter’ to the kids sneaking up behind me to tackle me or shouting from the sidelines, I’d like to take this chance to say thank you for all your support.

Latest HMIe and Care Commission report confirms Harmeny's
continuing very good progress - View the full report in our "Download" zone