Two reports outlining the work done to support the city’s care experienced and young people were approved by Aberdeen City Council’s Education and Children’s Services committee.
The Chief Social Work Officer Annual Report highlighted a wide range of positive interventions undertaken by the council and its partners to improve young lives and in turn help the city keep The Promise which was the subject of a two-year evaluation report also discussed in chamber yesterday.
The Promise is the Scottish Government’s pledge to care experienced children and young people that they will grow up feeling loved, safe and respected. Each local authority and its partners are tasked with delivering The Promise.
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:
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Establishing Edge of Care pilots for children and young people who may be at risk of coming into contact with the care system without an intervention;
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The establishment of Fit Like Hubs ensuring that families have access to early preventative support;
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Pathway planning to help care experienced children and young people reach positive destinations in life;
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Support for Kinship Carers – carers from the young person’s wider family such as grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, siblings and friends;
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The provision of school holiday programmes with free activities supporting the health and wellbeing of all children with care experienced individuals being a priority group.
Photograph shows Councillors Martin Greig and Jessica Mennie at an event celebrating the success of care-experienced young people at an event earlier this year