Information Bulletin
16 February 2005
Children and Young People's Services Plan
Shetland Islands Council Social Work service is this week circulating for consultation, the new draft plan for Shetland's children and young people for 2005 to 2008. The plan represents a significant change in how Local Authorities, the NHS, and other stakeholders, are being required to plan for the current and future needs of all children and young people in their area. The plan pulls together into one document, what were previously four separate plans. Education, children's social work, child health and youth justice plans are incorporated into the new over-arching plan. In this respect, it is a major milestone in developing further, an integrated approach to the planning of services.
Another key aspect of this new plan is that it details specific actions which agencies will take and indeed the full document contains over 30 pages of actions. Fiona Waddington, the Council's Head of Social Work, has helped to develop the plan as one of her first priorities in post. She is very aware that the current proposals are a draft and would like to make it clear that the consultation period runs until 17 March 2005. All comments are welcome and can be directed to Sherri Malcolmson on 01595 744409 or sherri.malcolmson@sic.shetland.gov.uk
Councillor Bill Manson, spokesperson for children and young people said, "I am pleased to see the new draft children's services plan going out to the whole of the Shetland community for wider consultation. I hope that all individuals and groups with an interest in children and young peoples services in Shetland will take the time to study the document and make comments. I would be happy to meet with groups at any stage to hear their views". In addition, Councillor Florence Grains, Chair of Services Committee has added "this is a very important plan and it sets out the vision and strategy for the next three years in terms of children's services. It's packed full of actions which are being or will be taken and it gives clear priority to the work of supporting children to be safe, nurtured and achieving in their community. I welcome it as a sensible step towards more integrated service planning".
For follow up interviews or briefings on the plan please contact Fiona Waddington on 01595 744 410.
Please see the Executive Summary