Looked After Children Strategic Implementation Group

A new strategic group was brought together in May 2010 to lead and drive forward an implementation programme to improve the outcomes for looked after children and young people in Scotland.

The National Residential Child Care Initiative (NRCCI), which reported in December 2009, together with the joint response from Scottish Ministers and the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA), highlighted that there was an opportunity to bring together the work on looked after children.  Many of the challenges facing residential childcare – around culture, leadership, planning and joined-up working –apply equally across the sector.  Above all, it is essential to ensure that whatever the care setting, a child’s needs are identified, high quality and responsive care is provided and outcomes are improved.

The group has been asked to lead key parts of the implementation agenda for looked after children.  The group’s remit highlights the following key areas for action:

• leading change by focusing on the 5 themes identified as priorities following the publication of the NRCCI, namely

 

- Culture change which covers Care Planning, Throughcare, Aftercare Permanence and Adoption

- Workforce

- Commissioning

- Improving learning outcomes

- Improving health outcomes

 

• Communicating and championing the needs of looked after children across the full range of public services;  
• identifying, sharing and disseminating good practice and innovation to improve outcomes; and
• conducting and overseeing studies and research necessary to ensure effective implementation of policies and practice.

The first meeting of the Group which was Chaired by Sarah Smith, Director Children, Young People and Social Care, Scottish Government took place on 19 May 2010.  The membership, which is intended to span all aspects of the children’s sector, is detailed below. 

Name Title / Organisation

Sarah Smith - Children Young People and Social Care, Scottish Government

Robert Nicol - Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA)

Neil McKechnie - Her Majesty’s Inspectors of Education (HMIE)

Alistair Gaw - Head of Service (Fife Council) & Representative of ADSW

Julia Swan - Director of Education Services (Falkirk Council) and Representative of ADES

Romy Langeland - Chair of National Residential Child Care Initiative (NRCCI) and Scottish Institute for Residential Child Care (SIRCC)

Garry Coutts - Scottish Government Commissioning Group, NHS Highland

Melanie Hornett - Nurse Director and Public Protection Executive Lead, NHS Lothian

Netta MacIver - Scottish Children’s Reporter Administration (SCRA)

Anna Fowlie - Scottish Social Services Council

Heather Gray - Who Cares? Scotland

Sara Lurie  - The Fostering Network

Barbara Hudson - British Association of Adoption and Fostering

Ilona Richards - Throughcare and Aftercare Forum

Fiona Robertson - Care and Justice Division, Scottish Government

Anne Black - The Fostering Network Advisory Committee

Louise Warde-Hunter - Action for Children (also representing Aberlour, Barnardos Scotland, Quarriers and Children 1st )

Marc Hendrickson - Social Work Inspection Agency

Bryan Livingstone - Care Commission