Our Why and Values

Arlene is an experienced and accomplished Director with over 15 years’ experience leading complex health and social care service operations from inception to successful conclusion. She has demonstrable expertise in building, mentoring and coaching top performing teams.

Before founding Roots & Wings Social Care, Arlene was Managing Director for a residential childcare company that supported children and young people affected by trauma, abuse and neglect. She was responsible for 18 residential children’s homes and two schools across Scotland. Prior to this, Arlene worked for 10 years for one of Scotland’s leading social care charities, predominantly in children, young people and families services. 

Her health and social care career began in Northern Ireland where Arlene was a Care Assistant working in residential care and hospitals, including psychiatric hospitals. She moved to Scotland in 2001 to study Psychology and gained a BSc in Psychology and an MSc in Forensic Psychology from Glasgow Caledonian University. 

Arlene is a Coaching Psychologist undertaking Chartership status with the BPS, she has completed a Life Coaching Diploma, is a certified Coach with the Clique Academy, is a trained and certified Coach in the Eight Tensions (TM) Coaching framework. Arlene has a Diploma in Cross Professional Supervision with the Institute of Pastoral Supervision and Reflective Practice.  Arlene is currently undertaking undertaking a specialist qualification in Somatic Trauma Coaching and Leadership.

Arlene lives near Glasgow with her husband Euan and their two young children. 

Arlene is registered with the British Psychological Society and adheres to the International Coaching Federation Code of Ethics and Regulatory Standards. Career Coach / Online Coach / One to one Coaching.

Heather is an experienced Teacher with 15 years’ experience within the mainstream and severe and complex needs sectors. She has worked alongside management to develop School Improvement Priorities / plans and has led on a variety of different projects and curricular areas during this time.  She is passionate about the development of literacy in young people and has played a pivotal role in developing literacy programmes, for a variety of different year groups and needs. Heather has experience and interest in AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) and creating Total Communication environments.

She has discovered the benefits of supervision in her professional and personal life and is using the cross professional supervision model through her work in social care and outwith to help others unlock their potential and take control of their life choices. Heather is focused on bringing about positive change in the lives of anyone she works with and this is reflective in her Coaching and Supervision styles. 

Before beginning her career in Teaching, Heather studied for a Bachelor of Arts in Social Studies, majoring in Psychology, at Glasgow Caledonian University. Heather then went on to achieve a PGDE Certificate in Primary Teaching, with a Merit in Teaching. Heather has successfully completed a Diploma in Life Coaching and is undertaking a Mindfulness Diploma too. Heather has also completed a Certificate in Essential Supervision Skills in Clinical Supervision, which is approved by the British Psychological Society and a Certificate in Cross Professional Supervision with the Institute of Pastoral Supervision and Reflective Practice.  Heather is currently undertaking Mental Health First Aid training to further enhance her work around wellbeing and undertaking a specialist qualification in Somatic Trauma Coaching and Leadership.

Heather adheres to the International Coaching Federation Code of Ethics and Regulatory Standards.  Career Coach/Online Coach/One to one Coaching. 

Karen is our Executive Virtual Assistant and handles all of the behind-the-scenes business administration for Roots & Wings. 

Karen deals with our diaries, training bookings, Coaching and Supervision bookings, invoicing and any general enquiries you might have about our services and how we can support you.

Prior to setting up her own business (Ways and Means PA Services Ltd), Karen spent 14 years as an C-Suite Executive Assistant working with CEO's, Board and Executive Directors in both FTSE 100 & 250 companies in London and the South West of England.

Karen is passionate about helping people and enjoys working with leaders of businesses of all sizes and supporting them behind the scenes as they focus on the day to day. 

Born and raised a Yorkshireman, Charlie studied at Lancaster University before taking his first role as a care assistant at a College of Further Education for teenagers with Cerebral palsy in the late 1980s. Since then he spent 12 years working for Local Authorities in London, initially as a “care worker” for adults with disabilities and at a Childrens reception centre. Charlie then moved on to manage Adults Residential Services, set up a Social Work mental health team, was part of the senior management team in London Borough of Croydon as service manager for Home Care and as Change manager before moving to Scotland in 2002.

Charlie worked for Glasgow City’s Learning Disability Partnership Commissioning team and completed his Post Grad in Social Work Management at the University of Strathclyde in 2004, and then moved to manage the Disabilities Commissioning team and an active part of the Self Directed Support Pilot team.

In 2013 Charlie went back to the direct provision of services as regional manager for Enable Scotland and then in 2017  to work for Quarriers as Head of Safeguarding and Aftercare, representing Quarriers at the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry and was invited by the Inquiry Chair to give expert testimony on the future of safeguarding in Childrens services in Scotland.

Since 2021 Charlie has been CEO of Lomond and Argyll Advocacy Service, delivering Advocacy Support across West Dunbartonshire and Argyll and Bute. His passion for person centred services, protection and rights continues to drive his practice.

 Susan has been involved in the 3rd Sector since 2002, 17 of these years have been in leadership positions, including almost 12 as Registered Manager and CEO of a 3rd Sector Organisation. 

She has experience in a national development position working across the whole of Scotland, but the majority of her experience has been with disabled children, young people and adults, in addition to working alongside many parents and carers. 

Susan also has 12 years' experience sitting on boards as a trustee/director, including time as treasurer vice-chair and chair. Her experience includes grant funding, commissioning, tenders, organisation development, sustainability, finance budgets and management, quality improvement, strategic development (and implementation), engagement and consultation, policy design

Susan has been late diagnosed with ADHD as an adult, which has brought significant reflection and a lot of sense! This has opened a real passion in understanding how neurodiversity presents both in children and adults and what more we can do to enable others to better understand themselves and therefore identify and follow their own path to success. Susan's personality, combined with her ADHD brings significant strengths including her commitment, drive, empathy, authentic and caring nature and being solution focused. With lived experience and professional insight, Susan acknowledges the platform she has to empower individuals who are on a path of self-reflection. 

Susan has a BSc Psychology and MSc Child Development. She has attended several leadership courses, strategy events, conferences, and training in her career so far and is looking forward to undertaking further study to evidence her skill set and develop her knowledge and experience further. Susan is very committed, values based in her approach, person centred and attentive to the needs of others. 

Claire started her career in social care 15 years ago after graduating with a BA in social sciences. Her first role was with a youth justice charity. Since then Claire has had various roles all within the charity sector including young people’s homelessness and youth health care. 

More recently, Claire was part of the pilot for a Glasgow based intensive family support service which has now been rolled out across the city and is being evaluated by other local authorities due to the positive outcomes for the young people and families involved.

Claire is passionate about giving young people a voice and has a keen interest in trauma informed practices. Claire is also a mental health first aider in her current role and believes in ensuring mental health is always at the forefront of any practices that support anyone to achieve and build on their strengths.

Claire currently supports young people on the edge of care across Glasgow using a strengths-based approach and involves working intensively with the whole family. Claire is also a member of the young person’s mental health and wellbeing network which allows her to share her knowledge and experience while learning from others. 

In her spare time Claire likes to spend time with her husband and family, ever growing with the addition of grandchildren in recent years – wee people are the best! 

Hayley has over ten years experience in the care sector. She found her passion in caring for young people when she worked in a special need primary school for severe to profound needs. 

Hayley then moved on to working in Residential care where she gained over six year’s experience working as a residential worker both days and nights and was then promoted to senior practitioner. 

Hayley is qualified with an HNC in Social Care and an SVQ 3 children and young people. Hayley has been trained by CAMHs, National Autistic society and Makaton.

Hayley has a real passion for working in care services and feels she can make a difference to young peoples lives by giving them the nurturing support they need. Hayley believes that everyone deserves the right to be heard and listened to. This ensures the young person feels supported and listened to when experiencing challenging times in their lives.

Outside of work she enjoy going days out with her daughter and spending time with friends and family.

SHERYL GRANT BA (hons) PGCE PGDip MBACP

Sheryl is an experienced and imaginative Person-Centred Psychotherapist who specialises in working with children and young people. She trained with the well-established Strathclyde University Counselling Unit and holds a Post Graduate Diploma in Person Centred Therapy. She is an Accredited member of the BACP (British Society for Counselling and Psychotherapy), is a member of the BACP ERG (Expert Reference Group) and has over 10 years of therapeutic experience. She is trained to deliver the “Mindfulness for Schools” programme.

In addition, Sheryl holds an honours degree in Social Science majoring in Psychology. She also gained a Post Graduate Certificate in Primary Education at Jordanhill Teaching College.

Sheryl has 25 years of robust experience in HR management where she was responsible for recruitment, training and development and colleague relations. She worked across fifteen large retail stores.

Upon leaving the retail sector to return to university Sheryl also began working as a foster carer with Barnardo’s Glasgow. Here she looked after children with complex needs. She completed all available training including extensive work on Attachment.

Currently Sheryl works in Secondary Education as a school counsellor. She is responsible for the setting up and running of this service, which includes one to one work with children between the ages of 10-18 years. As well as managing referrals, consulting with staff, parents, and outside services. 

Sheryl also has a substantial private practice where she works with both children and adults who have experienced trauma in their lives. She offers a safe space to talk and be truly listened to. She often uses mindfulness, breath work, movement or play as part of the therapeutic process.

Sheryl lives in Ayrshire with her husband, son, and dog. She loves to run and practices meditation and yoga daily.

Sheryl adheres to the BACP Ethical Guidelines:

www.bacp.co.uk/events-and-resources/ethics-and-standards/ethical-framework-for-the-counselling-professions/

Sonya is an experienced therapist with a background in psychology and education. She has been enjoying life around the globe since early childhood, appreciating the richness of the world around her. 

Sonya’s professional experience includes work in psychiatry, medical social work, family advocacy, teaching, academic advising, and specialized psychological support. She feels privileged to have served in the Armed Forces.  

Sonya’s desire is to meet people where they are and to give them the freedom to be themselves. Her love for humanity extends to animals and all living creatures.  

I first heard the phrase ‘Roots & Wings’ in relation to parenting and how parents want their children to have roots to cling to and wings to fly.

Most of us are still striving to find our roots and our wings and discovering them is part of the ongoing journey of life.

We all have our roots – what’s really going on underneath the surface, our health and wellbeing, trauma we may have experienced and how we’re really feeling and living. To flourish, we need healthy and stable roots as our foundation. 

Transformational coaching gives your roots a health check and works out what needs attention and focus so that you can move forward, make changes and achieve your goals. 

Wings and flying is what happens when you are living the dream you had for your life!

I have direct experience of stress and burnout and I know first-hand the demands of juggling family life and a career. I’m keen to use my own work and life experiences and knowledge to empower and support others on their transformational journeys.

Arlene