Social workers in the spotlight

Susan Taylor, chief social worker, gave her report to full council as well as senior officials, including chief executive Fiona Lees.

Social work as a profession is coming under increasing scrutiny with high profile cases leading to accusations and counter-accusations.

Against this backdrop Ms Taylor praised her staff, describing them as a ‘very committed workforce’ while emphasising there is much work to be done.

An army of volunteers backs up the service and she revealed that 80,628 hours of unpaid work has been carried out in our communities in the last year.

Another major success was recorded by the Financial Inclusion Team (FIT) having achieved gains totalling £4,602,844 on behalf of service users throughout 2016-17.

This was an increase of £334,386 when compared to 2015-16. Since the formation of FIT, financial gains now total just short of £15 million.

These are direct financial gains for people but also represent additional income for the local economy.

Ms Taylor said: “I have worked in Glasgow, Aberdeen, Lanarkshire and Ayrshire and have to say that staff here go way above their roles and job descriptions.

“I am not saying the job is easy but we have a workforce that makes things happen. More children are now at home as opposed to being in cares.

“We recognise the real issues which are about people’s rights and responsibilities as well as identifying risks and young people affected by abuse and trauma.

“Some of our practitioners attended a conference in London, to promote the use of evidence and research.

“Keynote speaker was Peter Beresford, OBE, Professor of Social Policy at Brunel University, London. Our practitioners who attended were inspired by Peter’s approach and grasp of the complexity of working with the uniqueness of every human being and their circumstances.”

MAPPA

Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA) is a framework which joins up the agencies who manage offenders. The fundamental purpose of MAPPA is public safety and the reduction of serious .

Systems are in place in East Ayrshire for the assessment and review of registered sex offenders and restricted patients, information sharing, audit, quality assurance and practice guidance.

Ballochmyle councillor Jim Roberts said: “This is a first class report and well done to the unsung heroes of the Financial Inclusion Team. There is no member here who has not used their services.”

Speaking of the sharing of information and referring to the tragic case of mother and daughter Diane and Holly Fallon in Cronberry, Mr Roberts asked if MAPPA allowed accurate sharing of information.

Diane and Holly were murdered by convicted sex offender Thomas Smith, whom he had duped into thinking he was a kind neighbour.

Smith hid Holly’s body under stones in a river and dumped her mother’s body in undergrowth four miles from her home in Cronberry.

Ms Taylor said: “Very clear arrangements are in place. In the last two years there has been a national review of all arrangements. MAPPA is keeping our communities safer.

“Coming together, sharing information and managing risk has proved to be effective.

“I would ask people to make us aware of even the smallest piece of information, which can be out together jigsaw-style.

“We will then know who we are working with and where offenders are.”

MINDFULLNESS PROGRAMME

An innovative method, described as a type of meditation, is being taken forward this year and members of staff spoke on how it has benefitted them.

One of the comments was: “I have learned how I can be more in control, especially in stressful situations and whether to get involved in the stressful situation or not.”

Ms Taylor said: “The importance of all this is that it contributes to to the workforce’s well-being and maximising attendance.”

While council leader Douglas Reid joked that he knew 32 volunteers who would take part in the sessions, Mr Reid praised the scheme.”

ROBERTSON TRUST

Following discussions with the Violence Against Women Partnership, The Robertson Trust has funded the development of a women’s centre in Cumnock.

Development of the centre, which is now open, has been progressed by Centrestage on a community capacity building model.

The project has galvanised women across Cumnock and surrounding areas and the energy surrounding the development of the centre is inspirational.

Centrestage has also been involved in bringing about an increase in the number of unpaid work placements.

They have worked with other groups, such as the Council for Voluntary Organisations (CVO) to provide more meaningful work placements that contribute significantly to the community.

Many of the people doing the work have been given wider opportunities though social connectedness, volunteering and employment as well as further education.

ADDICTION SERVICES

Every school in East Ayrshire provided alcohol information to young people as part of the Health and Wellbeing curriculum.

A week long alcohol awareness campaign targeted the council’s 17,000 social media followers, while alcohol messages were emailed to the council’s 6,000 employees.

Alcohol Awareness information appeared in Vibrant Communities Buzz magazine and was displayed on plasma screens in all GP surgeries and in University Hospital Crosshouse.

Cumnock and Doon Valley was visited by the Community Health Improvement Partnership (CHIP) van in November 2016, providing information on alcohol and safer drinking. Additional investment of £200,000 has been made to continue to support prevention and education of young people.