Lesley Mollison
Montrose,Angus
Summary
A strategic leader with expertise in driving transformational change across services, leading national initiatives, and managing multidisciplinary teams. Proven track record in sustaining sector-leading inspection outcomes through robust quality assurance and safeguarding, while anticipating legislative changes to set new standards of regulatory excellence. Skilled in building strategic relationships with the Scottish Government and sector partners, representing services in national forums, and shaping the future of care. Committed to embedding UNCRC, GIRFEC, and The Promise in service delivery, with a focus on restraint reduction and trauma-informed practice. Career goals include continuing to influence ethical leadership and drive income through strategic partnerships and service expansion.
Overview
24
24
years of professional experience
Work history
Service Development Manager
Rossie Young People’s Trust
05.2022 - 07.2025
- Provided strategic and operational leadership, establishing clear objectives for service excellence.
- Influenced transformative changes in secure service management to enhance outcomes for young people.
- Collaborated on a strategic review to develop and launch a new secure care service.
- Partnered with the Scottish Government to enhance national placement capacity and revenue streams.
- Championed The Promise, leading implementation of participation and transition improvements.
- Developed workforce strategies, job redesigns, and skills gap interventions to optimise team performance.
- Enhanced themultidisciplinary Team Around the Child model by integrating psychological frameworks.
- Delivered admissions and pathway planning aligned with Secure Care Standards, ensuring compliance.
Deputy Service Manager
Rossie Young People’s Trust
05.2017 - 05.2022
- Provided strategic and operational leadership across multiple service areas, supporting the Chief Executive, Head of Operations, and Service Manager in shaping and implementing policies, procedures, and organisational development initiatives.
- Held delegated responsibility for broader service management during senior absence, representing Rossie at national forums and steering service-wide improvements.
- Led service functions to consistently achieve sector-leading Care Inspectorate grades.
- Managed safe admissions, case management, and integrated care planning in line with GIRFEC and UNCRC.
- Chaired multi-agency care reviews and ensured delivery of holistic, rights-based support.
- Managed staff performance and development, developing induction, supervision, and growth plans.
- Directed quality assurance, risk management, resource deployment, and rota planning.
- Played a key role in workforce leadership, staff retention, and organisational change initiatives.
- Actively contributed to national practice advancements and represented Rossie at external events.
Team Leader, Residential Service
Rossie Young People’s Trust
10.2013 - 05.2017
- Provided direct leadership and practice oversight within a residential care team, ensuring safe, trauma-informed, and rights-based care for young people with complex needs.
- Implemented trauma-informed approaches, reducing incidents and improving outcomes.
- Led staff development through mentoring, supervision, and reflective practice.
- Led care planning and reviews in partnership with young people and external professionals.
- Strengthened inspection readiness and contributed to consistently high evaluation grades.
- Promoted co-production and embedded the voice of the child into daily practice.
Residential Care Worker – Residential Care Service
Rossie Young People’s Trust
05.2008 - 10.2013
- Delivered high quality, person-centred care for young people, promoting wellbeing, independence, and emotional development in a residential setting.
- Built therapeutic relationships as a trusted adult and advocate for young people.
- Ensured safe, nurturing environments through vigilant safeguarding and risk management.
- Collaborated on care plans and assessments as part of a multidisciplinary team.
- Helped maintain a homely, structured environment that supported personal growth.
Residential Care Worker – Secure Care Service
Rossie Young People’s Trust
06.2001 - 05.2008
- Provided intensive, structured care within a secure environment, supporting young people with complex trauma histories.
- Developed and reviewed individualised care plans as a key worker.
- Delivered compassionate, trauma-informed support while upholding secure protocols.
- Led family and professional engagement for integrated planning and transitions.
- Proactively managed high-risk behaviours and upheld young people’s safety and rights.
- Helped create a nurturing, predictable environment within a secure care setting.
Education
Postgraduate Diploma - Leadership and Management and Child Protection
University of Stirling
StirlingBSc (Hons) - Health and Social Care
The Open University
SVQ Level 4 - Social Care Leadership and Management
Social Services and Healthcare
Skills
- Driving strategic plans, policies, and transformational change across services
- Leading and managing on National initiatives, including reimaging secure care and capacity expansion
- Leading integrated, multidisciplinary teams across care, education, and health
- Chairing multi-agency reviews and embedding holistic, child-centred care
- Sustaining sector-leading inspection outcomes through robust quality assurance and safeguarding
- Anticipating legislative changes and setting new standards of regulatory excellence
- Participating in recruitment, retention, and workforce transformation
- Providing supervision, coaching, appraisal and talent development at all levels
- Embedding UNCRC, GIRFEC, and The Promise in all aspects of service delivery
- Implementing restraint reduction, trauma-informed practice, and co-production with young people
- Managing budgets, capacity, and commissioning processes with commercial acumen
- Driving income through strategic partnerships and service expansion
- Leading through complex incidents with calm, decisive action
- Ensuring organisational safeguarding, risk analysis, and resilience
- Building strategic relationships with the Scottish Government, Regulators, and Sector Partners
- Representing services in national forums and shaping the future of care
- Trusted communicator across all levels, from the frontline to the Board of Governors
- Skilled in reporting, influencing, and modelling ethical leadership
Accomplishments
- Led Rossie’s secure care service to sector-leading Care Inspectorate outcomes through successive inspections, reflecting sustained excellence in care management and delivery.
- Translated cutting-edge design and mental health research in practice by collaborating with design partners to deliver innovative environmental and therapeutic projects, thus enhancing care experiences and supporting service development.
- Presented strategic insights and updates to National stakeholders, the Board of Governors, and Scottish Government officials on service innovation, inspection preparedness, and legislative changes.
- Recognised internally for leadership in workforce development and cultural change by promoting professional development, reflective practice, and staff wellbeing, resulting in significant cultural change.
- Spearheaded initiatives, including the co-design of safe environments, integrating advanced technologies like radar sensors to enhance safeguarding and reduce harm for young people.
- Our sector-leading reputation led to direct commissioning by the Scottish Government to expand secure care provision. I collaborated with others to advise on national contingency planning, resulting in the creation of vital additional capacity and firmly establishing Rossie as a trusted national partner.
Timeline
Service Development Manager
Rossie Young People’s Trust
05.2022 - 07.2025
Deputy Service Manager
Rossie Young People’s Trust
05.2017 - 05.2022
Team Leader, Residential Service
Rossie Young People’s Trust
10.2013 - 05.2017
Residential Care Worker – Residential Care Service
Rossie Young People’s Trust
05.2008 - 10.2013
Residential Care Worker – Secure Care Service
Rossie Young People’s Trust
06.2001 - 05.2008
Postgraduate Diploma - Leadership and Management and Child Protection
University of Stirling
BSc (Hons) - Health and Social Care
The Open University
SVQ Level 4 - Social Care Leadership and Management
Social Services and Healthcare
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