As Scotland’s Commissioner for Children and Young People, Tam has a team who work in his office to make sure everything gets done.
Meet the team
You can click on the name of any team member to send them an email, or give them a call on 0131 346 5350.
Participation and Education
This team work to make sure that all Scotland's children and young people have a chance to communicate with the Commissioner and to talk about the issues that matter.
The team do this directly and also through other organisations and clubs that work for and with you.
Head of Participation and Education
Katie's job is to make sure that all children in Scotland know about their rights, know about the Commissioner and how Tam can make Scotland a better place for children and young people. Singing, cat stroking and spending fun times with her friends and two daughters are her next favourite things to do with her time.
Participation and Education Officer
Cathy works to create good links and relationships with schools and places where children and young people learn. She does this so that children and young people’s views and experiences can be passed on to the office to help us make decisions. She has an amazing collection of rare books and loves big rugs. She used to be a teacher so insists on everyone calling her Mrs Begley.
Participation and Engagement Officer
Sarah-Louise does a similar job to Cathy, but she concentrates on relationships with organisations that work with children and young people; like charities and projects. She has bags of experience of working with children and young people in fun and productive ways. She's a creative type and is never happier than when she is cooking up ideas for activities. Never seen without her hair straighteners, she has an abject fear of being caught in the rain....
Policy
The team work to make sure that existing and new policies and laws that directly affect your lives take into consideration your rights, and are the best they can possibly be.
Head of Policy
Máire heads up the Policy Team and is in charge of ensuring that law and policy relating to the rights of children and young people is in good condition. She also has a stunning jacket for every occasion and is a novice beekeeper.
Research Manager
Sheila is in charge of all the research contracts that the office commissions. This means she works with other organisations to produce the research reports that the Commissioner’s office then uses to influence policy and law. She likes colour-coding her research updates and makes lots of banana loaf.
Policy and Parliamentary Officer
Pauline makes sure that laws and policies that are relevant to children and young people are in good shape. The Sound of Music is one of her favourite things by far.
Enquiries Officer
Linda is on the other end of the phone if you call the office's enquiries line, and helps callers find the best people to talk to. A keen traveler, she's always up for visiting exotic places.
Communications
This team makes sure that as many people as possible know what Tam is doing and talks to children, young people and adults.
Communications Manager
Ezmie’s job is to get the Commissioner's messages out there in the media, in print and online, and to make it is as easy as possible for you to get back in touch with Tam. She works with agencies and suppliers which support the office to make sure that this happens. When not talking or writing she is usually laughing (mostly at herself).
Digital Media Officer
Robert focuses on our digital and online communication channels. If you have any questions about this website or our Facebook, Twitter and YouTube accounts, he’s the person to speak to. He is using his spare time to write an exciting adventure about space.
Corporate Services
This team makes sure that everything runs smoothly within the office, from keeping on top of relevant internal policies, to making sure the Commissioner knows where he is to be and when.
Head of Corporate Services
Steve has the tough task of making sure the office runs smoothly. He is the money man, pays all the bills, balances the books and reports on the accounts. He served in the Royal Navy for 22 years, is a keen golfer and has supported Blackpool Football Club for longer than he can remember. He also keeps everyone laughing with his jokes and stories!
Information Officer
Gillian (aka ‘the G’) keeps everyone in the office informed about new publications and policies about children and young people’s issues. She is also in charge of all information requests that come to the office. When she’s not doing that, she’s more than likely climbing a mountain ― so her surname is perfect.
Assistant to the Commissioner
Heather is the first point of contact for people who want to talk to the Commissioner. She arranges his events and helps make sure his calendar is always in working order.. If you laid all her scarves from end to end, they would almost reach the moon.
Administrator
Megan is the first person you're likely to meet if you visit the office. Her work is very varied as she covers reception, provides admin support to the whole team and helps Steve make sure the office keeps running smoothly. She has three cats called Maisie, Ella and Joey, and is studying Higher human biology.