Fiona Aitken Scotland Director Expand A qualified speech and language therapist, Fiona has worked with children with disabilities and in residential care before joining Adoption UK Scotland in 2014. Fiona and her husband have two children, a cat and a dog, and are specialist disability short break foster carers. Fiona enjoys singing – both in and out of the office, spending time with friends, and family.
Aliy Brown FASD Lead Expand Having worked for Adoption UK Scotland since October 2015, Aliy joined the team as a helpline advisor/office coordinator. Following the growing need within the community supported by Adoption UK Scotland, FASD Hub Scotland was launched on 18 June 2019. Aliy now leads the Hub team. Her and her husband have three adopted children and personal experience of the challenges faced by those with foetal alcohol spectrum disorder. In her spare time Aliy enjoys spending time with her family, traveling in their motorhome, being outdoors and knitting and spinning wool.
Simon Cawthorne Communities Coordinator Expand As Community Coordinator I organise events for our families throughout Scotland as well as running, maintaining and expanding our great network of volunteers. After 13 foster placements I have recently retired from this role but still work part time as a ‘Play Ranger’ providing outdoor play opportunities to some of the areas of ‘high social deprivation’ in Edinburgh. Self care includes time with the family, Scouts, entertaining our dog and ticking off Munro’s - they have to be done!
Ian Deeney Parent Partner Expand Joined Adoption UK in September 19. Previously worked in a family business for 18 years. Adoptive Dad to two girls, most of my spare time is spent being taxi to them for all their out of school interests. I am a member of the Local Authority Adoption & Fostering Panel, as well as studying towards a diploma in reflexology. Enjoy nothing more than cooking a roast Sunday dinner with classical music for company in the kitchen
Kevin Denvir Helpline Adviser Expand Started part time with AUK Scotland in April 2019 as a helpline adviser and much appreciating the wonderful supportive AUK family ethos. Lives in Orkney with his adoptee wife and two adoptive daughters and enjoys travel (just as well) and cooking. Previously worked as a PE and ASN teacher, business owner and Health Promotion Specialist and volunteers locally as an 70/30 campaign ambassador and sits on the children’s panel.
Fiona Dunbar Adoption Services Manager Expand Joined Adoption UK Scotland in 2014, originally as the volunteer coordinator, and as a result of service development, now holds the role of Adoption Services Manager. Fiona is a retired Foster Carer of over 14 years, and has one adopted teenage daughter at home, and two adult children. Fiona likes to have an early morning walk with the family dog, is fond of dining out when able.
Paula Gilhooly Helpline Advisor Expand Paula started work with Adoption UK Scotland in September 2019. Her background is in education – first as a secondary English teacher then primary teacher and now Support for Learning teacher. She has one daughter and together they enjoy swimming, puzzles and chocolate! Paula is one of the mum’s group co-ordinators in Edinburgh.
Denise Horn Business Support and Development Manager Expand Denise started with Adoption UK Scotland in July 2019. She lives in Edinburgh with her partner and 2 children. Denise has a background in developing partnerships, project management and marketing working within the public sector and charity sector. You are most likely to find her dog walking, fusing bits of glass or sea swimming when she gets a moment to herself.
Judith Knox FASD Advisor Expand Judith recently joined Adoption UK Scotland as an Adviser with FASD Hub Scotland. Judith has worked in community engagement and home care management for many years within the NHS, local authority social work service and the voluntary sector. Judith is a Chartered Manager with the CMI and hold a PG Certificate in Health Service Leadership and Management. Judith is an adoptive parent to her 12 year old son who has FASD and has been raising awareness of FASD within her local NHS board and local authority area for the last 3 years.
Pascaline Mollard Lead Therapist Expand A qualified social worker she also qualified as a Family Systemic Practitioner in June 2018. Pascaline joined the Adoption UK Scotland team in August 2019, part-time, as the lead therapist for the new TESSA project. The other half of the week she works at Scotland’s Adoption Register. Originally from France she has now lived in Edinburgh for 20 years and has a son. In her spare time she enjoys skiing, cycling, yoga and baking cakes to share with her family and friends.
Carlin Nicolson FASD Hub advisor Expand Carlin joined Adoption UK in October 2019. She lives in Edinburgh with her husband, two children and her two dogs. She has a background in Human Resources in the Finance sector and when not working she enjoys DIY, reading and spending time with her family.
Barbara Ogston Parent Partner Expand Barbara joined AdoptionUK as a parent partner in September 2019. She is an adoptive parent to 2 children who are about to enter their teenage years. Barbara has a background as a Children’s Worker in various third sector organisations, though most recently enjoyed being a stay at home mum! In her spare time she is studying a Masters in Childhood and Youth at the Open University and is a member of the Children’s Panel.