This month, Scott MacKechnie took on the role of the new Independent Chair and Scrutineer for Hampshire Safeguarding Children Partnership (HSCP). Scott brings with him a wealth of knowledge and experience following an extensive career in the police.
Previously a detective chief superintendent with Hampshire Constabulary, Scott retired last year from the role of head of crime. He is an experienced senior leader, used to working under pressure in fast moving and dynamic situations, having been a strategic commander of many critical incidents.
Scott has always had a passion for protecting vulnerable members of society. He has considerable cross-agency senior leadership experience in a wide range of complex areas of vulnerability affecting children and adults. He spent several years working within the child and adult safeguarding arena as the former head of the child abuse investigation teams and head of public protection. Scott has previously been the police lead for domestic abuse, rape, child sexual and criminal exploitation, modern slavery and organised immigration, drug related harm and cyber-crime, involving extensive cross-partnership working.
From 2018 until early 2022, Scott served as Chair of the Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Portsmouth and Southampton (HIPS) Strategic Child Exploitation Board. He has also chaired the multi-stakeholder south east region strategic governance boards for drug related harm and cybercrime, as well as sitting as a representative on national portfolio meetings.
In addition to heading a large command portfolio, Scott has been involved in leading the investigative response to multiple high profile and sensitive investigations. He is experienced in providing leadership, scrutiny, accountability and challenge where he drives organisational performance improvement, engaging in appropriate levels of analysis, quality assurance and problem-solving methodology.
Scott is a committed, passionate and people-orientated leader who is accomplished in senior stakeholder management, networking and collaboration, building trusted relationships at a strategic level, whilst being well versed in understanding and navigating political and organisational pressures.
Scott is enthusiastic of his new role as HSCP Independent Chair and Scrutineer and looks forward to working collaboratively with partners to ensure that child protection services in Hampshire continue to be effective and keep our children safe.