Natalie Don-Innes was born in Paisley and grew up in Bridge of Weir. Natalie attended Gryffe High School and then went on to study History at University of Glasgow.

Before and during her time at University, Natalie worked in a variety of sales roles working her way up to Manager of a local food retailer. After graduating university, Natalie started a role as a constituency assistant and caseworker for a member of the Scottish Parliament.

She was elected as a local councillor for the Bishopton, Bridge of Weir and Langbank ward in 2017 and then member of the Scottish Parliament for Renfrewshire North and West in 2021. She was appointed as Minister for Children, Young People and Keeping the Promise in March 2023. As well as her professional roles, Natalie has spoken openly about her own experiences growing up in poverty, and highlights the benefits and importance of having people with lived experience in decision making roles.

Jackie qualified in Scotland before starting her career in London, moving back to Scotland in 1991.

Jackie has been a Chief Social Work Officer for over 10 years and came to the Care Inspectorate from her previous post as Service Director, Children and Families and Justice Services within the City of Edinburgh Council.

Jackie has over 30 years’ experience of working in the public sector and has also managed community health services for children.

With over 20 years of experience supporting statutory and independent organisations, Eilidh Macdonald brings a carer-focussed approach in supporting fostering to achieve the best possible outcomes for children and young people.

Her current role of Recruitment Coordinator for a Scotland-wide service (Care Visions Fostering) is instrumental in ensuring that new carers are best prepared and understanding of their role and that they feel valued throughout the process of becoming a carer. Improving the understanding of fostering, including the support that’s available and tackling some of the misconceptions around it, has also been a key aspect of her work.

Eilidh comes from a background of working with Children and Families, supporting complex needs in challenging circumstances. Therefore she understands the experiences of children who come into care and how we can best support their needs. Her collaboration with social work is informed by high level experience in her roles of Supervising Social Worker and agency management.

Alison was enrolled as a solicitor in 1996. She worked in civil litigation in private practice for four years before being employed as a Reporter to the Children’s Hearings. Having recognised the need for a specialist, outreach, legal representation service for children and young people in Scotland, Alison co-founded Clan Childlaw in 2008 and continues to be employed as its Chief Executive and Principal Solicitor. During her tenure, Clan has been involved in four supreme court cases defending children’s rights and won awards in the Pro Bono category of the 2017 Scottish Legal Awards and 2019 The Herald Law Awards of Scotland. Alison leads on the delivery of the pioneering Lawyers For Children Certification Course with the Law Society of Scotland, which was launched in 2024.

Alison is a member of the Scottish Civil Justice Council Family Law Committee. She is a court reporter and curator ad litem in relation to contact and residence disputes in the sheriff court and a curator ad litem and reporting officer in relation to adoption and permanence proceedings. She has experience as a safeguarder in the children’s hearings system, and as a member of the Law Society of Scotland’s Access to Justice Committee. Alison is a Law Society of Scotland Certified Specialist in Trauma Informed Practice.

Alison loves most sports and enjoys camping and walking in the Scottish hills.