Councils join forces for social work and education

STIRLING and Clackmannanshire Councils are heralding a new way of working for local government in Scotland by running their education and social services jointly.

Deirdre Cilliers at Clackmannanshire has been named Head of Joint Social Services and Belinda Greer at Stirling is Head of Joint Education Services – both roles spanning the two council areas.

Their respective councils each take a lead authority role for that service area.

Stirling Council leader Councillor Graham Houston said: “Partnership is the way forward. Together we aim to provide new, creative models and more efficient services for citizens, promoting best practice and making the most of the skills, expertise and experience across both councils.”

“’More for less’ is our mantra,” said Clackmannanshire Council leader Councillor Sam Ovens. “We are determined to achieve best value and continue to improve services despite shrinking budgets. We’re delighted to announce these appointments today, taking us closer to our shared ambitions.”

Clackmannanshire Council’s chief executive Angela Leitch said: “We have been working on this for the past year and recognise it will give both councils the increased capacity to improve services and at the same time, the opportunity to do things more efficiently.

“Each service has areas of best practice and with staff we want to roll these out across both councils quickly while innovatively redesigning other provision around the needs of our customers.”

Stirling Council chief executive Bob Jack said: “We’ve had a very positive dialogue with senior civil servants from Scottish Government’s Learning Directorate. As Government changes its own role in terms of curriculum development, they are keen to see how local government can flex to support change.

“There’s no blueprint for this, so it’s an exploration and going forward, we’ll deal creatively and constructively with issues as they arise. We hope ours is a model others can learn from, adopt or adapt.”

Over time, both Heads of Joint Service will direct staff across the two councils and manage services delivered by the two councils.

“An intensive handover period is now underway as we get to know our new patch,” said Deirdre Cilliers. “I’m busy meeting with staff, familiarising myself with the set up, structure, clients, councillors, services, buildings, systems and challenges.

“We’re establishing baseline information about the shape of services now and exploring opportunities for improvement. For example the Clackmannanshire and Forth Valley NHS Joint Mental Health Service is recognised as providing first class services for local people and has the first pooled budget in Scotland. Colleagues in Stirling are keen to share this model. Meanwhile we will continue to deliver essential services that local people rely on day in, day out – like familiar carers supporting elderly people to continue to live at home.”

“Top of the to-do list is building the team,” said Belinda Greer. “We are working with HR to determine the structure and process for appointing our management team. Our service is all about people and we value the skills, expertise and experience our staff brings.

“We’re organising team building and visioning sessions to ensure their collective wealth of knowledge and passion is fed into service development. And of course we want to settle structures quickly – by the new Autumn term for schools.

“Meanwhile, it’s business as usual: Stirling schools are still badged ‘Stirling’ – same for Clackmannanshire. Children and parents won’t notice the difference.

“I am confident joint working will strengthen the capacity of the Education team and together, working closely with our schools, we aim to further improve outcomes for our children and young people.”

The councils aiming to have a joint Scheme of Delegation approved by June, which legally gives the heads the authority to direct services in both councils.