Councillors were today (Tuesday 24 January) updated on the progress of the authority’s Children and Family Services function against key performance measures.
A report submitted to the Education and Children’s Services committee also highlighted progress in relation to implementation of the Aberdeen City National Improvement Framework Plan 2022/23.
The Council’s Performance Management Framework Reporting mechanism helps report and scrutinise delivery of the authority’s delivery plan for 2022-23 for each service.
For Children and Family Services, the report highlighted that:
- The Council is successfully meeting all requests for school placements in the face of increased demand and greater overall school roll;
- As of 28 October 2022, Aberdeen City Council had enrolled 293 displaced pupils from Ukraine – the third highest figure in Scotland;
- Year-on-year improvement rates for Literacy and Numeracy among the P1-7 combined age group, following or exceeding national trends;
- An increase in full-time equivalent teaching and support staff in Council schools and Early Learning Centres.
- A Health & Wellbeing Network across schools had been re-established to work with Education Support Officers to improve the delivery of the curriculum and review approaches to meeting the mental and physical wellbeing needs of our children and young people;
- The process for child protection have become more effective, with less repeat out of authority placements and 100% care pathways in place by the age of 15 for care experienced children and young people;
- A 5% reduction in the number of looked after children while 100% of Council children's homes, fostering and adoption services achieved a care standard of good or better.
Committee Convener, Councillor Martin Greig, said: “It's reassuring to see so much evidence of positive work in supporting young people and families in the city. The professionals involved in education and social care have been able to achieve some very welcome results. We have to aim to do our best for the wellbeing of the next generation.
Vice convener, Councillor Jessica Mennie, said: “I was really pleased to read the report and see the progress we are making against our in-house targets for improving the lives of our children and young people.”