Getting It Right for Every Child in Highland

In supporting the Scottish Executive in the implementation of ‘Getting it Right for Every Child’, public agencies in Highland believe their pathfinding role will help achieve significant reform in children’s services across the country.
 
This programme involves The Highland Council, NHS Highland, Northern Constabulary, Scottish Children’s Reporters Administration, and partners in the voluntary sector.
 
The challenge is to develop and implement new ways of working across agencies, to ensure that all children get the help they need it, when they need it. 

This will involve reducing bureaucracy and freeing staff up to spend more time in direct work with children and families.  It will mean giving greater authority to lead professionals to work in partnership with families to achieve solutions to their difficulties.   It will also involve working closely with communities, to reassure them about how concerns about the protection of children and community safety are being dealt with.
 
This pathfinder programme will build on the good practice that has been acknowledged in Highland and other parts of the country, to:

Councillor Margaret Davidson, Chairman of the Highland Joint Committee on Children and Young People,  welcomed the Minister’s announcement, and said: “Highland agencies have been at the forefront of developments in services for children, and we are delighted to be associated with this major initiative.  The plans are ambitious, but our staff and managers have been working on the proposals for some time, and they are enthusiastic and committed about taking it forward to make a difference for children in the Highlands and ultimately throughout Scotland..”

She confirmed that some local consultation had already taken place with young people and parents in Highland, and that this announcement would allow that work to gather pace.
 
She added: “Children and families tell us that they expect agencies to collaborate.  They don’t want to endlessly repeat their stories to different professionals.  They want one assessment and one plan, not a multitude of plans held by different agencies.  This is an opportunity to modernise our systems and we will work closely with the Executive to help make this happen.
 
“I am clear that agencies must work together, and in partnership with families, to achieve better outcomes for children.  That means new ways of working - smarter way to achieve our goals for children and young people.  Essentially, it means giving more time to direct work with families, and responsibility to lead professionals to help achieve change.  I am delighted that all Highland agencies have committed to this initiative.”