Argyll and Bute Council’s Children and Families service has won a cherished gold award at the prestigious annual CoSLA Excellence Awards ceremony, held yesterday (Thursday 12 March), in the category ‘securing a workforce for the future’.

The redesign of children and families social work included listening to the views of staff who provide the service and to those of the young people who receive it, giving them confidence in knowing that their opinions are valued and lead to changes which put young people at the heart of the service.

The council’s Policy Lead for Children and Families, Councillor Mary Jean Devon, said, “This award is a fantastic achievement and I send congratulations to everyone involved.

“The council is deeply committed to ensuring that care is in place for our vulnerable children, and their involvement and input during the redesign of services which support them was an integral and valuable part of the process. Providing them with the best possible start is a key part of our aim to build communities which are safe and strong.”

The acknowledged innovative approach which attracted the gold award created unprecedented enthusiasm within the staff team, and because of its success will now be extended into other services.

The council’s Executive Director of Community Services, Cleland Sneddon, said, “The redesign of the Children and Families Service redirected resources towards the front line - which means direct support for our young people. Everyone involved worked incredibly hard and showed commitment and resourcefulness. This award is thoroughly deserved.”

COSLA President Councillor David O’Neill, who chaired the judging panel, described the entries for the awards this year as inspiring, said, “These winners sum up what Scottish local government is all about- innovative and joined up services, delivered by hard working staff who are changing lives every day.”

To read more about the Children and Families Service award winning redesign and watch a video of staff talking about their work in the process, go to http://awards.cosla.gov.uk/project/securing-a-workforce-for-the-future-argyll-and-bute-council-children-and-families-service-redesign/

Find out more about CoSLA’s Excellence Awards here http://awards.cosla.gov.uk/about-the-awards/the-2010-excellence-awards/