27 May 2021

Committee hears about collaborative approach taken by council services to support young people

Members of the Education and Children’s Services Committee learnt about several examples of partnership work amongst Aberdeenshire Council services to support better outcomes for young people through education. 

In response to recommendations in an Audit Scotland report, Laurence Findlay, Director of Education and Children’s Services, highlighted how many services had a key role to play in supporting improved outcomes for young people in addition to the more “traditional” services provided by the Education and Children’s Services teams. 

Examples include assistance provided by IT in Customer and Digital Services in ensuring Education and Children’s Services digital needs are supported, assistance which was essential throughout the Covid-19 pandemic and as online and distancing learning became evermore commonplace in education.

Another example is Education and Children’s Services and Aberdeenshire Health and Social Care Partnership working together on transitions between children’s and adult services. Plans are also being developed about how best to support positive mental health and wellbeing during the emergence from the Coronavirus pandemic.

Support with school grounds maintenance and school transportation has been provided by colleagues in Infrastructure Services. Property and Facilities Management has assisted in ensuring the council’s learning estate is fit for purpose and learning spaces are well maintained.

Colleagues from various council services have acted as mentors and coaches to young people through programmes such as MCR Pathways and Career Ready, whilst others have assisted Developing the Young Workforce by talking to pupils about their careers or offering opportunities to young people to become more employable through work experience or Foundation Apprenticeship Placements.

Cllr Gillian Owen, Aberdeenshire Council’s Education and Children’s Services Committee chair, said: “From ensuring our school buildings are modern, welcoming and cared for environments to inspiring and developing a young person’s skills so they can go on to achieve their dreams, these are fantastic examples of collaboration, which not only meet our priorities but assist our communities with recovery in the post-Covid-19 world.”

Committee vice chair Cllr Rosemary Bruce added: “It is great to hear about the teamwork contained in these examples. This is exactly what a council should be doing – working together to meet our communities’ needs.”

To read the report in full please visit Aberdeenshire Council - Committees and Meetings  webpage.  

To watch a webcast of the Education and Children’s Services Committee please visit the Aberdeenshire Council website.