item |
comments |
action |
| Apologies |
Tina Stockman had sent her
apologies that she would be late |
|
| The Corrieneuchin Project |
Muriel Henderson
described the project which is funded jointly by Children First (formerly RSSPCC) and
Aberdeen City Council for children and young people 0-18 (majority are 7-10 on referral)
who have been abused. Its first period of funding ends in March 2001, but hope was
expressed that it would be able to continue beyond that time. It is a counselling and support service in which the young people
themselves set the agenda. Referrals are taken from anyone, including young people
themselves, and there is a referral panel. The project works with whoever in the family
wishes support, usually for a 6-9 month period, although there is a review every 3 months.
Staff include workers with social work training, 2 counsellors, 1 family with family
therapy training, and 75% have a Certificate in Child Protection. 11% are self-referrals.
Evaluation from young people and parents is
positive. Muriel offered to answer any later queries which people might have if they
contact her by phone. |
All network members to
take the information back to their respective guidance teams. Thanks to Muriel from the
group for a helpful and interesting session. |
| On-line Careers Guidance |
The network had was given
information about the new initiative which is being taken by Grampian Careers to offer an
online internet based extension to its careers guidance service. It will be online next
month (June 2000) for a trial period and will be up and running in the autumn. We had a
demonstration of what internet version might look like, and were informed about the
structure (attached). The website address
will be www.grampiancareers.com |
All network members to
take the information back to their respective guidance teams. Thanks to all the members of
the Grampian Careers team who are developing this initiative. |
| Procedures for persistent
absenteeism |
Charles, Muir (Assistant
Director, Services to the Public) discussed with us with us issues relating to
non-attendance procedures, to which he attached huge importance. He explained the background to the Home School Liaison service, which
has emerged from what was the School Welfare Service since reorganisation in 1996.
Although staffing was only 6 HSLOs now, a lot of the tasks which they used to do (eg
clothing grants, placing requests) had been removed to enable them to concentrate on the
core service. HSLOs are deployed around the city on a needs basis based on the
distribution of chromic cases. The main features are
- early intervention
- fast track procedures
- devolved and delegated powers
- standardised procedures
There has been some criticism that the procedures
are too standardised (this was never intended) and that there are some steps missing.
The meeting discussed whether the procedures deal
with the root causes of non-attendance, and it was generally agreed that they do not
necessarily do so.
At present a review group is looking at the
operation of the service. IT consists of Charles Muir, the HSLOs, Ann Landels, Janet
Davidson (St Machar Academy), Audrey Walker (Smithfield School). Charles suggested that
the Aberdeen Guidance Network might contribute two members to the group. The review group
could be assisted by guidance teachers to look at some of the root causes and recommend
how they could be tackled.
Other issues discussed were
- Was the decrease in tasks commensurate with the
reduction of staff of the HSL service?
- In the medium to long term what training an
experience are needed by HSLOs?
- A seminar/conference should be organised to look at
the issues that underlie absenteeism. Charles suggested that this was an important
priority
- How can available funding be allocated to address the
issues?
- How can we deal with situations where young people
are carers?
- How does the HSL service tie in with what is
happening in new community schools?
- How can the curricular issues be addressed, eg
inappropriate curriculum?
- How can HSLOs be better integrated into the whole
educational effort (one effect of the reorganisation of the service was that it reduced
their visibility)
- Torry Academy has a member of staff who works full
time on home school liaison, and where this has made a considerable positive difference.
How can the lessons learned from Torry be implemented elsewhere?
- There is little evidence that prosecutions generally
work.
|
Network members will ask
in school for volunteers to join the review group for the HSL service. Christine |
| Action plan for Aberdeen
Guidance Network |
Terry outlined the finance
available for development days, and distributed a handout explained what was available and
how we needed to compile an action plan |
Each network member would
have the issues and handout discussed at a guidance meeting and let Terry have any
suggestions over the next two weeks. We need to know what our guidance development
priorities should be, and what projects would help us achieve them. |
| Guidance policy
development in Aberdeen |
Terry gave a short update
on the consultation which is taking place this term and next term on the revision of the
guidance policy/handbook |
Schools would be sent
initial consultation document early next term. |
| Staff development |
Terry reminded network
members to look out for the Authority’s staff development handbook, which would be
made available to schools shortly. It would contain all courses known so far, including
guidance/PSE courses. |
Network members would
ensure that guidance teams were aware of the handbook. |
| Confidentiality |
Terry briefly updated
members on the working group dealing with confidentiality and data protection. This
includes in formation schools pass on to Careers Service. More details would be available
at a later date. |
Terry will inform guidance
teams as soon as information is available. |
