Malcolm Macmillan: Malcolm Macmillan has been involved in social care since 1991 and further education since 2004. He currently serves as the Head of Centre at the Macmillan Centre for Learning. Malcolm has extensive expertise in SQA centre management and quality assurance, internal verification and assessment (SVQ 3–4, HNC Social Services), curriculum development and training delivery, and policy compliance with SSSC, SQA, and NOS standards. He has also been involved in cross-sector training on child development, attachment theory, and anti-bullying.
Fiona Murray: Fiona Murray holds the position of Internal Verifier and Assessor, with a pronounced focus on Social Services and Healthcare. She is responsible for ensuring compliance with SSSC standards and currently coordinates SQA processes while supporting staff development across various sectors.
Maureen McBride: Maureen McBride holds the position of Internal Verifier and Assessor, with a pronounced focus on Social Services and Healthcare and has a background in nursing and substantial experience in residential care, particularly with children and adults who have additional needs. Maureen oversees professional standards and training linked to SSSC and SQA. She delivers and updates training materials and induction programmes, ensuring that staff are well-prepared and knowledgeable. Maureen also serves as an internal verifier and assessor for SVQ 3 & 4 (Social Services – Children & Young People), maintaining high standards of quality assurance.
What We’re All About
We want to support the social care workforce to reach their potential as they support those in reciept of social care services. We believe in motivating carers, and services, to acquire knowledge and skills, building confidence in their competence, and capacity to deliver a person centre service.
The use of the Macmillan Clan motto is significant as it represents a philosophy that is at the heart of the service the Centre provides. Within this philosophy are three components:
1. The responsibility of the individual to learn, “I learn”, indicates a process through which you are willing to attain knowledge and skills. Such development requires many skills such as communication in its’ many forms, Information Technology and all this offers regarding resources and collaboration. Incorporated into this is the motivation required to push you to achieve. A clear focus on the outcome of your learning is essential. Not only is there the drive for self-achievement; there is also recognition of the gains for those you work for, the clients.
2. The next component is that of “to succour” or “to help”. This component represents the variety of knowledge, skills, methods and concepts relating to working with people. All of us have a particular leaning towards being treated in certain ways. Such treatment can be found, for example, to relate to the Scottish Social Service Council Codes of Practice and the National Care Standards. An understanding of the basic ingredients of interactions enables the concepts of Respect and Dignity and this is significant to the helping process.
3. “…the distressed” or “those in need” identifies to whom we apply the “help”. As the issue of care can apply to a wide section of society it is important to understand the “need” they have. Through careful assessment of all that this person is, we construct an image of wishes and needs, which may only be met through appropriate application of knowledge, skills, methods and concepts.
Where to find us:
Located in the North East of Scotland, Macmillan Centre for Learning can serve your needs wherever you are through the power of technology. We have delivered HNC Social Services, and SVQ’s from the East to the West Coast. Get in touch and we can see what we can do for you.