Published on:
16
May 2024
The Council welcomed First Minister John Swinney to Alloa Academy yesterday.
The First Minister- and the Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice Shirley-Anne Somerville - met with parents and pupils benefiting from the Council’s Family Wellbeing Partnership work and announced continued Scottish Government funding of £300,000 for the programme.
Council leader Ellen Forson said: “It was a privilege to welcome First Minister John Swinney and the Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Shirley-Anne Somerville, to Alloa to showcase the work of our Family Wellbeing Partnership, which has a clear focus on tackling child poverty and inequalities in our communities.
“The Family Wellbeing Partnership is working with third sector organisations and community groups here in Clackmannanshire to reshape the services that people want and need. This collaborative approach aims to make it easier for families to access the support they need, when they need it.
“Clackmannanshire is one of only six areas in Scotland to be taking a whole family approach to childcare, and I am proud we are leading the way in reforming how public services are designed and delivered to communities.
“We are delighted with the ongoing support from the Scottish Government, which will make a real difference in our communities.”
Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said: “The First Minister has made clear that the national mission to eradicate child poverty is his top priority.
“The work underway at Alloa Academy is a great example of community and public sector supports wrapping around a school community to help tackle poverty and inequality and support people’s wellbeing.
“I am delighted to confirm we will continue to collaborate with Clackmannanshire Council to support the Family Wellbeing Partnership and make a further £300,000 of funding available this year.”
The Family Wellbeing Partnership aims to help families out of poverty and draws on collective local and joint resources to improve whole family wellbeing and outcomes.
The focus of yesterday’s visit was on one of the Family Wellbeing Partnerships workstreams, the Community Around the School approach which has been pioneered at Alloa Academy to support young people and their families – and is now being developed in our other secondary schools.
Our young people and their families were delighted to have the opportunity to discuss the positive difference that this approach is having.
In addition, our Child Wellbeing Partnership – Scottish Government Early Adopter Childcare, Employability and STRIVE (Safeguarding for Rapid Intervention – including early intervention) work are making a real impact on communities throughout Clackmannanshire.