A report highlighting the progress made in improving the lives of the city’s vulnerable children and young people including those who are care experienced people was approved by Aberdeen City Council’s Education and Children’s Services committee this week.
The Chief Social Work Officer Annual Report highlighted the wide range of positive interventions undertaken by the council and its partners to improve young lives. It provides an overview of the range of services and initiatives in social work and social care undertaken by the council over the last 12 months.
Committee Convener, Councillor Martin Greig, said: “The reports highlight the significant amount of hard work that has been given to support the wellbeing and attainment of young people. It is good to note that we are on course to meet our Promise targets for the 2021-24 period.
“The Chief Social Work Officer's Annual Report records major achievements that have been made to care for young people. The successful application to site a Bairns' Hoose in Aberdeen is an important example of efforts to put the interests of the young person first.
“The Corporate Parenting Plan has been updated to include new roles and training activities that will help young people access opportunities and develop personal skills.”
Vice-Convener, Councillor Jessica Mennie, said: “The reports underline the importance of a multi-agency approach, particularly at a time when we are seeing new and increased areas of work. Working with partners such as Police Scotland and NHS Grampian we are able to provide comprehensive interventions
support individuals to spend more time at home and with kin and access multi-agency care services.”
Other highlights of the reports include:
- Numerous positive outcomes arising from effective multi-agency working;
- Securing significant Bairns Hoose funding for the financial year 2025/26;
- Formation of a Corporate Parenting best practice group to support young New Scots;
- High level of engagement from care-experienced young people in the Bright Spots online survey, the results of which will inform future corporate planning improvements The establishment of Fit Like Hubs ensuring that families have access to early preventative support;
- Exceeding the target of a 5% increase in the number of 16/17 year-olds who are diverted from prosecution by 2025, with almost 30% diverted during this period.
Photograph: Councillors Martin Greig (centre) and Jessica Mennie (right) visit the Barns Hoose site