Meet the Team at 1st Focus Homecare
At 1st Focus Homecare, our strength lies in the people who make exceptional care possible. Behind every visit, conversation, and moment of support is a dedicated team of professionals who genuinely care about improving lives across Edinburgh and the surrounding areas.
From frontline carers and supervisors to our management and training teams, every member brings unique experience, compassion, and commitment to their role. Together, we share one clear goal – to deliver person-centred care that allows people to live safely, comfortably, and independently in their own homes.
Led by our Founder and CEO, Scott Falconer, a practising paramedic whose clinical background shapes our ethos, 1st Focus Homecare has grown into one of Edinburgh’s most trusted care providers. Alongside Scott, our diverse and talented management team – including experts in nursing, training, psychology, operations, and community support – ensures that quality, safety, and dignity remain at the heart of everything we do.
This page introduces the people who bring our values to life each day. We’re proud to have a team who not only excel professionally, but also share a genuine belief in delivering care with kindness, respect, and humanity.
Scott Falconer — Founder and CEO
I’m old enough to just remember the 1970s. I grew up in Dunfermline and then moved around a fair bit — Edinburgh, then London, then as far north as Thurso and Aberdeen — before eventually settling back in Edinburgh where I live now. I’m happily married with two children, both currently at high school.
Outside of work my only real hobby is keeping fit. I used to be a keen road cyclist and triathlete, but these days most of my time on two wheels is downhill mountain biking — something my son got me into, and which still terrifies me at times.
Alongside running 1st Focus, I still work as a Paramedic. I trained and worked with the London Ambulance Service from 2008 to 2013, before moving back to Scotland to work for the Scottish Ambulance Service, including time teaching in the education department training new Ambulance Technicians and Paramedics. Those years on the frontline exposed me to every level of care — from the very best to the very worst — and that experience is what led me to start 1st Focus Homecare.
Q&A — Meet the Founder of 1st Focus Homecare
1. What led you to start 1st Focus Homecare?
I started 1st Focus Homecare after years working as a paramedic and seeing every level of care — from outstanding to shockingly poor. I knew I could build a service where dignity, consistency and compassion weren’t optional, but standard. An ethos which is strongly engrained in every part of the business.
2. Are you still working as a paramedic?
Yes. I still work as a Paramedic alongside running the company. I trained and worked with the London Ambulance Service from 2008–2013 before moving back to Scotland to work with the Scottish Ambulance Service, including time training new technicians and paramedics in the education department. I now work as a bank Paramedic where I work one shift a week. I still enjoy my Paramedic work and it’s not something I can ever imagine walking away from entirely.
3. What geographical areas do you provide care in?
When we started the company in 2018, we solely delivered care to those in the SE and SW areas of Edinburgh. Since then, we have expanded the area we cover to areas such as North Berwick and Haddington.
4. What types of care at home do you offer?
We provide full care-at-home services including personal care, home help, dementia care, hospital discharge support, reablement, and palliative/end-of-life care. We can basically cover all needs, from companionship visits through to end-of-life care and support.
5. Do you provide overnight care?
Yes. We offer sleeping nights, waking nights and live-in care. Recently we have found live-in care to be a popular choice for families. Not many people want to be in care homes, and live-in care gives people the ability to remain at home. I would argue live-in care is of a higher standard than a care home as you receive one-to-one care rather than having staff looking after multiple residents.
6. What is the benefit of care at home instead of a care home?
Care at home allows people to remain in the place they feel safest and most comfortable — their own home — while still receiving professional support tailored to them. There’s a lot of research out there that evidences that people’s health and life expectancy deteriorates when moved to a care home. People living with dementia probably suffer the most due to the changes in the living environment. I think a lot of families see care homes as being a place of safety for their loved ones, but statistically the evidence suggests otherwise.
7. How do you ensure quality and safety?
My clinical background shapes everything we do. We recruit carefully, train thoroughly, and supervise continuously — compared to most care companies we do run with a large management team, but this is something I see as essential to maintain standards and ensure we are always working towards improving the service we deliver.
8. How do families stay informed?
We recently moved to electronic care plans and care notes. Families (with consent from the clients) get access to these so they can stay informed and involved even if they live elsewhere. We also include families in risk assessments and quality monitoring reviews. In addition to this we actively encourage families to speak to us with any concerns they have so issues can be addressed immediately. Feedback is a very important way to improve!
9. What kind of people work for 1st Focus Homecare?
We hire people who are naturally kind and reliable from all different backgrounds. We have a broad multicultural team working for us, both in the care team and the management team, who all bring their own life experiences with them.
10. What is your long-term vision?
My long-term vision is to have 1st Focus Homecare become the go-to care service for everyone, so when people are looking for care, we are the first name that pops into their heads. I would love to see the company grow to a point where we work across multiple locations and cities, but something I have said since day one is that I will not allow the company to grow to a size where we cannot deliver the care standards we have set ourselves. The care we deliver comes miles before profit and I will not allow that ethos to change.
Amy Tearle — Care Manager
I have dedicated 18 years to care, with my early career primarily focused in nursing, residential, and hospital settings. Since January 2018, I have been a proud member of the 1st Focus Homecare team, where I have progressively advanced through various roles — starting as a Lead Carer, then moving to Supervisor, Care Coordinator, and ultimately Care Manager. My time in homecare has been particularly rewarding; it is a truly positive experience to enable individuals to remain in their homes for as long as possible by crafting person-centred care packages.
I have successfully completed my SVQ 2 and 3 and hold a Professional Development Award in Supervising People and Supervising the Protection of People. I also possess extensive experience in both dementia care and palliative care. Furthermore, I have a keen interest in skincare and wound-care management, and I am passionate about supporting care staff in maintaining skin integrity for clients.
I am originally from Newcastle and have lived in Edinburgh for 12 years. I have a dog named Phoebe, and we love going on long walks in and around Edinburgh. I enjoy reading and love baking, especially recipes passed down from my Grandma.
If you feel that 1st Focus Homecare is a company you can trust, please contact our office on 0131 510 7878, where we can discuss your care needs. If we can help you or your loved one, we can arrange to meet you in person at your home to assess your care needs. Once an agreement is in place with you privately or via the local council, we will build you a care and support plan and agree on a start date.
Katherine Morrow — Care Supervisor
I am one of the Care Supervisors and I have worked for 1st Focus Homecare since 2019. Before joining the office team, I supported council visits and, more recently, private companionship care visits. I really enjoy getting to know service users and their families to ensure they receive the best care possible.
I studied and earned my BSc (Hons) in Occupational Therapy at Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh. As part of my studies, I completed four placements across different sectors and services. I have always been interested in looking after others and working with them in a person-centred way, and I have also worked in two different care homes.
I have lived in and around Edinburgh all my life. I have a passion for craft activities, music, and musical theatre. I attend the theatre regularly, supporting both professional and amateur dramatic productions. I also volunteer for Girlguiding Scotland as a Leader in Training for a Rainbows unit in Musselburgh.
I was a member of the National Youth Choir of Scotland (NYCOS) and have toured with the choir across the country and in Europe, including a performance at Carnegie Hall in New York. I am also a member of an Edinburgh-based choir, Cadenza, performing regularly at the Fringe Festival and throughout the year.
Purity Chizande — Care Supervisor
Purity is a compassionate and dedicated care professional with a strong background in counselling, mental health, and community development. Originally from Zimbabwe, she holds a BA in Counselling Psychology as well as a Bible School diploma and has completed both basic and advanced counselling training.
Her career has taken her across Zimbabwe, Mozambique, South Africa, and now Scotland, giving her a rich cross-cultural perspective on care and support. In Zimbabwe, Purity founded a non-profit organisation that partnered with schools, clinics, communities, and churches to provide psychosocial support and carry out charitable initiatives. She also partnered with churches in Mozambique and South Africa to deliver community-focused charity work, extending care and hope to those in need. During her time in South Africa, she also served as a Crisis Counsellor for a national helpline, playing a pivotal role during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Alongside her practical work, Purity is an accomplished author of three books, including a recent mental health self-help guide. Her writing reflects her passion for empowering individuals to take charge of their well-being.
Since relocating to Edinburgh, Purity has continued to grow in her career — supporting adults with learning disabilities as a Support Worker, Acting Senior, and then Senior within her first year. In April 2025, she joined 1st Focus Homecare as a Care Supervisor, where she leads with empathy and works to create environments where people feel valued, supported, and empowered in their daily lives.
Outside of work, Purity has been married for 25 years and is a proud mother of two adult children, whom she home educated. The fourth of seven siblings, she values strong family connections and community. She enjoys gardening, DIY projects, and finding creative ways to make spaces feel welcoming.
Xeila Ferreira — Care Coordinator
I moved to Edinburgh from Santiago de Compostela, Spain, in 2017 and began working with 1st Focus Homecare in 2019. I started as a Care Assistant and, over time, progressed to Care Supervisor before stepping into my current role as Care Coordinator.
While working with 1st Focus, I successfully completed both SVQ 2 and 3 in Health and Social Care, as well as a Professional Development Award (PDA) in Health and Social Care Supervision. These qualifications have helped me strengthen my skills in supporting both clients and colleagues to ensure the highest standard of care.
Outside of work, I enjoy playing the guitar and singing — two of my favourite hobbies. I also love animals and cooking, especially when I can share meals with family and friends.
Amy Shikuku — Business Development Manager
I am the Business Development Manager and have worked for 1st Focus Homecare since 2017. I was previously the HR Coordinator and hold a CIPD qualification in this field. I greatly enjoy my current role as I get to meet and engage with people who are looking to arrange one of our packages of care. Being able to create a package of care that works for a service user and the people in their lives is highly rewarding.
I previously worked hands-on as a carer, and the experience I gained in those roles helped me to understand what is truly important to the people who use our services and their families. Before joining 1st Focus Homecare, I worked for a couple of homecare providers in Edinburgh, gaining experience in all aspects of care and seeing first-hand the impact that having the right support can have on everyone involved.
Having had a grandparent who suffered from Alzheimer’s, I understand the emotional and physical strain that such a diagnosis places on families. This experience gave me a greater appreciation of the kind of support we all need when we find ourselves in these situations. Knowing that there are compassionate professionals available to support your loved ones — and to help you spend quality time with them — is truly invaluable.
I am from Edinburgh and grew up in the Blackford area. I have a son, a daughter, and three cats. I have a great love of the theatre, reading (especially Georgette Heyer novels), art, birdwatching, and playing badminton.
Grant Moncrieff — Recruitment and Training Coordinator
I am the Recruitment and Training Coordinator with 13 years of experience in recruitment, having worked for three different domiciliary care companies. Before joining 1st Focus Homecare in 2019, I was the Recruitment Coordinator for another Edinburgh-based social care company.
My role is to support the care team in finding the right candidates for each position, ensuring that our service users receive the very best care possible. I am extremely proud of the work we have done and the goals we have achieved as a team to help build 1st Focus Homecare into one of the most trusted social care providers in Edinburgh.
Our commitment has allowed us to provide support across a range of services, including live-in care, care at home, companionship care, and respite care for families.
I believe we have achieved this success by maintaining the highest possible standards of care for our service users, while also offering excellent support to our staff. I greatly enjoy my job, especially meeting so many different people, and it’s incredibly rewarding to see the strong relationships that develop between our carers and the individuals they support.
Robert McIntyre — HR & Operations Manager
I joined 1st Focus Homecare in 2019, having previously worked with another care-at-home company. My current role as HR & Operations Manager involves supporting the care team and wider company to achieve our collective goals while maintaining a positive workplace culture and environment.
Health and Social Care is a fast-paced and ever-changing landscape, which can be incredibly rewarding. It allows us to support people within our local communities to live independently and safely in their own homes.
As a team, we have proudly achieved three successive years as a Top 20 Rated Home Care Provider for Scotland on Homecare.co.uk, while maintaining a “Very Good” care standard as recognised by the Care Inspectorate. These achievements reflect our ongoing commitment to excellence, compassion, and professional growth across every level of the organisation.
