Aberdeen City Council approves changes to residential childcare

17 November 2016

Proposed changes aimed at improving residential childcare were approved by Aberdeen City Council’s Education and Children’s Services Committee today (Thursday 17 November).

The new model will see the introduction of Clinical Practitioner and Team Leader posts, a new approach to recruitment and greater investment in workforce development, including new staffing grades, to improve the care experience of children and young people while supporting them to maintain family relationships and maintain mental health and wellbeing.

Councillor Angela Taylor, convener of the Education and Children’s Services committee said: “These are important changes which will ensure that we offer children and young people the best possible start and outcomes in life, in a safe and inclusive environment that also helps them stay close to their families as much as they can.

“Importantly, the changes we are making to the staffing structure will be achieved within the existing budget and will help social workers working in residential care homes achieve the same skills and experience as other professionals within children’s social work . This will also benefit the children and young people placed in our care”.

The changes follow a Review of Residential Childcare undertaken last year and further revision throughout the course of 2016.