Transforming Scottish care: what business can learn from civil society
Prioritizing lived experience over systems requirements has improved the lives of Scottish children in care.
Jimmy Paul is an internationally recognised leader striving to reduce the impact of inequity on children and families. He advocates most for people who have experience of being looked after in care, whose outcomes are globally adverse. He is a Trustee for UK Charity of the Year 2018, ‘Who Cares? Scotland’ where he sets the strategic direction and ensures the authentic inclusion of people with lived experience of care in driving political change. He successfully campaigned for the Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014 and the world-leading Independent Care Review (ICR) aiming to “have the best care in the world”; securing Nicola Sturgeon’s personal commitment. He is now a Co-chair for the ICR. Jimmy also works at the Centre for Excellence for Looked after Children in Scotland, where he convenes senior leaders across Scotland to implement best and innovative practice. Partnering with the Digital Health and Care Institute, he develops innovative software solutions to drive person-centred care and civic participation to benefit children and families through education. From 11,000 applicants, he was one of 50 British Council Future Leaders Connect members who received training at the leadership unit at Cambridge University and the Houses of Parliament, met world leaders and shared a stage with Kofi Annan at a highlight event streamed globally. As a Royal Society of Edinburgh Young Academy of Scotland member he coordinates projects alongside CEOs of Fortune 500 companies. Jimmy also received a Lifetime Achievement Award from Newham Council, his Corporate Parent. As Curator of the Edinburgh Hub, Jimmy is committed to inspiring a more compassionate and inclusive world through the fourth industrial revolution.