from Margo Williamson, Strategic Director
Last year was a challenging year. Thank you for your effort, energy, resilience and commitment.
As we start this new year with greater clarity, a greater determination to succeed and a renewed commitment to provide services, with and for, our children & young people, I ask of you one thing: help us collectively to raise the ambitions of our young people so they can compete in a global economy.
March 2016 will see the transition from the People Directorate to the Children & Learning Directorate. Adult and Older People’s Services will become part of a new Integrated Joint Body for Health& Social Care. This will be led by Vicky Irons, Angus’ Chief Integrated Officer. Children’s Social Work; Education and Criminal Justice Services remain under my leadership. In preparation for the reshaped directorate we have been working on our statement of ambition, values and behaviours.
Early in 2016, this will be finalised around the four points of a compass:
- North – our commitment to the young people of Angus
- South – our commitment to improve
- West – management’s commitment to our staff
- East – expectations of all our staff in relation to our values and behaviours
Children & Learning Committee report 435/15 sets these out in more detail.
For me, the statement of ambition sets out our clear purpose. It outlines our values and expected behaviours and respects the qualities of our multidisciplinary team. It invites us to work across what has been seen as distinct boundaries, whether departments or disciplines. It will be through such levels of inter-working, that new insights and opportunities will open and see increased benefits for our children and young people.
2016 brings a further opportunity to embed Getting it Right for Every Child into all our practice. Our statement of ambition will guide our approaches and provide our narrative for improvement. As such, I look forward to another successful year despite a drive for ever- faster change, increased expectations and advancements of new technologies and the current adverse economic climate.
We are a strong workforce who have demonstrated an ability to adapt and succeed because of our dedication to the citizens of Angus. As we reshape into new teams around Adults & Older People and Children & Learning, there is every reason to believe we will remain resilient and effective.
I wish all members of a staff a healthy and happy 2016, the year in which we all thrive.
