Comhairle nan Eilean Siar PRESS RELEASE 16 May 2000 For Use: Immediately

The Sgoil Lionacleit New Community Schools project is one of 37 pilot projects throughout the country. The three-year pilot runs from April 1999 - March 2002 and has attracted Scottish Executive funding of £200,000 each year.

This level of funding has enabled ten jobs to be created, seven of which comprise the New Community Schools team headed by Anne MacCorquodale, Integration Manager. The team reflects the multi-agency focus of the project which promotes integrated service management and delivery to support pupils and families. Team members include - Mairead Beaton, Clerical Assistant; Christina McWilliams, Fitness Instructor; Mary Morrison, Community Education Officer; Patricia Morrison, Health Co-ordinator; Kirsten Moore, Social Worker; Kathleen O’Dwyer, Community Resource Worker.

Kathleen’s appointment is an exciting departure for the Uists & Barra. She represents the first full-time presence in the Uists for NCH Action for Children. Her official job title is Community Resource Worker and she will have a major role in supporting children and families particularly in the area of special needs and respite care.

Much of the team’s activities has been in enhancement of curriculum provision, in particular fitness activities in the primaries with Christina and drama in S1/S2 in Sgoil Lionacleit with Mary. A major aim is to increase self-esteem amongst young people and their families.

Other teaching jobs have been created to release Lionacleit Guidance staff from much of their subject teaching commitment to provide increased pupil support. Designed to improve pupil attainment, this allows for much closer relationships to be established between pupils and guidance staff. Over the time of the project, each pupil in all three schools will have a Personal Learning Plan established which will set individual targets in the curriculum and in personal health issues. The PLP will be drawn up after discussion between pupil, parent and teacher.

From June onwards, individual health checks will be initiated with pupils, starting with primary 7. This should increase family awareness of health issues.

Overall responsibility for the project lies with the Integration Manager and the locally based Management Group. The latter comprises representative from all partner agencies, participating schools and the pre-five sector. The regional Steering Group, based in Stornoway, is made up of representatives at directorate level from education, social work, the health board and NCH Action for Children.

An enormous amount of groundwork has been done over the last seven months in establishing consultation groups and monitoring systems. The latest development in this area involves the setting up of a Young Persons Interest Group with members from all three schools together with hostel, sports club and youth club representatives. It is hoped in the longer term that young people themselves, as the key players, will initiate projects in their local area.

Staff can be contacted at 01870 602835.

Ends

Issued by Nigel Scott
Communications Officer