Member Reappointed to the Mental Welfare Commission for Scotland

The Minister for Mental Wellbeing and Social Care, Kevin Stewart MSP, today announced the reappointment of Alison White as a Board Member of the Mental Welfare Commission for Scotland.

Member

Alison White joined the Board of the Mental Welfare Commission for Scotland in October 2019. She qualified as a Social Worker from Robert Gordon University 20 years ago. She is currently Director of West Lothian Health and Social Care Partnership, but has held the role of Chief Social Work Officer previously. Throughout most of her career she has worked in mental health, substance misuse, learning disability and justice services. Alison is passionate about developing person centred, human rights-based services.

Appointment

The reappointment will be for four years, and will run from 1 November 2023 to 31 October 2027.

This reappointment is regulated by the Ethical Standards Commissioner.

Remuneration

The reappointment is part-time and attracts a daily fee £248.13 for a time commitment of up to 15 days per year.

Other ministerial appointments

Alison White does not hold any other ministerial appointments.

Political activity

All appointments are made on merit and political activity plays no part in the selection process.  However, in accordance with the original Nolan recommendations, there is a requirement for appointees’ political activity within the last five years (if there is any to be declared) to be made public.  

Alison White has had no political activity over the last five years.

Background

The Mental Welfare Commission for Scotland (the Commission) protects and promotes the human rights of people with mental illness, learning disabilities, dementia and related conditions.  The Commission has a key statutory role in safeguarding individual rights and monitoring how the principles of mental health and incapacity legislation are applied in practice.  Through direct interventions in the care and treatment of individuals using mental health and learning disability services, providing guidance and conducting investigations, the Commission has a strong influence on the quality of care and treatment provided of some of the most vulnerable people in our community.