From 2001, when the second cabinet Bondevik held office, Schou was Minister of Social Affairs.
She was replaced in a 2004 cabinet reshuffle.
During this period her seat in parliament was taken by Carsten Dybevig.
Schou was not re-elected in 2005, but instead served as a deputy representative.
On the local level Schou was a member of the executive committee of Spydeberg municipal council from 1991 to 2003.
For the periods 2003-2007 and 2007-2011 Schou represents the Conservative Party in the municipal council in Spydeberg.
Before entering politics Schou worked as a nurse before becoming a health bureaucrat.
She is married to Petter Schou, county doctor in Oslo and Akershus.