autumn 2011 - Scottish Children's Reporter Administration

autumn 2011Participation launch:Find out how the launchevent went on pages 2-3In THISISSUEFarewell to staff:Some of the latest staff leavingpresentations – see pages 4-6Neil’s update:Follow up interview with NeilHunter – turn to pages 7-8Volunteer award:Edna is volunteer of the year -see page 9Case Management:Regular update on progress onpage 10Fundraising moonwalk:Pauline puts her best footforward! See page 11Property update:See the latest improvements -view page 12Praise for Reporter:Colette’s CPO presentation onpage 15Win a £30 WHSmith gift card:Try the tea-break teaser onpage 18page one

autumn 2011Launch of new information materialThe formal launch of SCRA’s newsuite of information material forchildren and young people tookplace in Glasgow on Tuesday 6September.Members of staff and seniormanagement were joined at thelaunch by a host of partners,including Bernadette Monaghan,Convener of Children’s HearingsScotland and Louise Macdonald,Chief Executive of Young Scot.Other guests included Children’sRights Officers, Panel TrainingOfficers and workers and youngpeople from Who Cares? Scotland.The event was held to mark theintroduction of the new materials,which includes an information DVDabout the Hearings System. YoungScot has produced the DVD forSCRA completely free of charge.The DVD is now available on SCRA’swebsite, Young Scot’s website andYou Tube.Staff will already be aware ofthe other information materialswhich were developed by SCRA’sIndividual Participation in HearingsGroup. The information materialswhich include new leaflets, acartoon booklet, a your rights cardand flash cards were distributed atthe beginning of September.At the launch, Neil Hunter, PR/CEOwelcomed everyone to the event,which was held in the training roomin Bell Street. Neil said: “In 2009SCRA developed a Framework forEngagement with Children andYoung People. As part of this, weasked a group of staff to form thenew Individual Participation inHearings Group, and it’s this groupwho have developed all our newmaterials.“I’m sure you will agree that thenew materials are bright, colourfuland child friendly. This is justthe beginning of our efforts toimprove engagement with childrenand young people and we hopeto work with you all as we goforward on developing additionalcommunication tools.Young Scot Chief Executive, Louise Macdonald at the launch with Neil Hunter, along with Kyle McHatton and MartinDewar from Young Scot.“Partnership is key to ourengagement strategy and I amdelighted by the support SCRA hasreceived from Young Scot. YoungScot has made a DVD for childrenand young people going to Hearingsfor the first time.“The young people at YoungScot gave up their time and theirknowledge for free, to make thisinformation DVD for us. We couldnot have developed this withouttheir expertise and commitmentand I am delighted that some ofthe people who made the DVD arehere today.”Neil then handed over to LouiseMacdonald, Chief Executive ofYoung Scot. Louise, who is also anSCRA Board Member, said:“I am delighted to be here today.We had our first meeting with SCRAin Bell Street to see how we couldwork together and I am delightedthat we are back here again todayfor the launch.continued ...page two

autumn 2011Send your office leaving presentation photos to - communications@scra.gsi.gov.ukStaff leaving presentationsSCRA has said goodbye to anumber of staff who have left theorganisation via VR/VER.Here are some of the leavingpresentations from across thecountry. Remember, if you havecolleagues who are leaving, pleasesend in photographs from theirleaving presentations to theNational Reporter.Ruth Scullion - ReporterDumbartonRuth Scullion, who was a Reporterin Dumbarton, retired from SCRA atthe end of May.Ruth first started as a Reporterback in the early 70’s. She tooktime off to have her children butthen continued to work in Glasgowfor many years. She moved toDumbarton, on a part time basis,several years ago until she retired.Locality Reporter Manager, DouglasHill told the National Reporter:“Ruth did not want a fuss when sheRuth along with her colleagues from the Dumbarton office at her leaving presentation.left, so we did a small presentationin the office. She was given flowersand, as Ruth is horse mad, theoffice had arranged to sponsora horse for a year from a horsesanctuary. Ruth was delighted.“We also took her out for dinnerthat night to Di Maggio’s in RoyalExchange Square, Glasgow.“Ruth’s retirement coincided withher first grandchild being bornand two more grandchildren havearrived since, so with three newgrandchildren she will be keptbusy!”Douglas added: “We miss Ruth’sfriendly manner in the office andalso her ability to stay calm, nomatter what was thrown at her!”Practice Reporter - GeorgieThomasIn June, we said farewell to PracticeReporter Georgie Thomas. Georgiehas moved back to her nativeAustralia with her family.To mark her departure colleaguesheld a bbq at the Kilted Kangaroo inStirling, followed by a presentationin Ochil House on her last day.Georgie got into the spirit of thingsby wearing a kilt to her bbq!Georgie joined SCRA as a Reporterwith the Stirling Team in March2004, before moving to the PracticeTeam in Head Office in March 2008.During her time in SCRA, Georgiebecame the only member of staffso far to attend at the SupremeCourt. Presenting Georgie with aleaving gift of a special painting ofthe Wallace Monument to remindher of her time in Stirling, PracticeManager Gill Short said:“Georgie was a really positiveperson to have around. She madecontinued ...page four

autumn 2011a significant contribution to thePractice Team and she alwaysworked hard to improve things forthe whole organisation. We willreally miss her.”Authority Reporter - RachelBurnAuthority Reporter, Rachel Burn leftSCRA on Friday 9 April. Rachel hadbeen with the Reporters’ Servicesince October 1980 and becameAuthority Reporter with SCRA fromApril 1996 in Dundee.Georgie is presented with a bouquet of flowersby Gill Short at her leaving bbq.In an emotional farewell, Georgiesaid: “I have loved working forSCRA. I have loved my colleaguesand the work. It has been a greatplace to work and I’ve becomereally attached to everyone. It isreally hard to leave.”Rachel was highly regarded in SCRAand had a number of farewell doswith all her colleagues.There was lunch in the Dundeeoffice on Rachel’s last day, andstaff were invited to tell humorousstories about working with Rachelover the years – there was lots ofstories and lots of laughter!There was also an “old” RMTlunch on 13 September and Headof Practice and Policy, MalcolmSchaffer said a few words about his30 years of working with Rachel.Malcolm said: “Now I cannot speakto being managed by Rachel - wellnot officially - but line managing herwas an interesting experience.“There was never any shortageRachel is pictured with colleagues at her last day in the office.of ideas flowing in and opinionswere freely given but while it mayhave been a bit knackering at timesfor my very limited brain to copewith all the ingenuity, it was neveranything but fun, and the respectI have for Rachel as a person andprofessional is boundless.“There used to be a phrase in theAuthority Reporter job descriptionabout going the extra mile. Rachelwould do an extra marathon -always leading by example, neverasking anyone to do anything shewould not do.”Malcolm added: “She will be missedwithin SCRA, though her legacy willcontinue in the many staff she hasmentored.”There was also an evening ofdrinks and nibbles with LocalAuthority and panel partners on14 September at the Town House,Dundee.Rachel’s friend has set up aChildren’s Centre in Rwanda anda donation will be made to thecentre. Rachel’s final night out waswith her team at the Glass Pavilioncontinued ...page five

autumn 2011in Broughty Ferry on 20 Septemberwhen the presentation anddonation to the Rwandan Children’sCentre will be made.Now she has left SCRA she plans totravel this autumn, visiting Irelandand Canada.Locality Reporter Manager, RosieCampbell said: “I personally willmiss her laid back, calm approachand diplomatic response to justabout everything. Her team, I think,will miss her warmth and caringpersonality – she was the teammatriarch!”Business Integration Manager- Gillian CromptonStaff at Head Office said a fondfarewell to Gillian Crompton, SCRA’sBusiness Integration Managerearlier this month.Gillian, who has been with theReporter’s service since 1988, hasheld a number of posts includingReporter, Area Reporter, Head ofOperations and latterly BusinessIntegration Manager.At her presentation, Head ofPractice and Policy MalcolmGillian is pictured with Malcolm Schaffer at her leaving presentation.Schaffer, paid tribute to Gillian’s‘meticulous attention to detail’ andhighlighted some of her notableachievements which include theintroduction of the RAD and morerecently the implementation ofSPR2. He said that Gillian would besorely missed.Neil Hunter, Principal Reporter thenthanked Gillian for her hard workand said that although he hadn’tworked with her for long, he knewthat Gillian was held in high esteemby her colleagues and said thatmany of Scotland’s children’s liveswere so much the better as a resultof her work.Gillian was then presented with acard and some gifts which includeda beautiful bouquet of flowers, aKindle and an amethyst necklace.Gillian paid tribute to many ofher colleagues and gave a specialmention to her ‘RADettes’. Gilliansaid that although it had been adifficult decision to leave SCRA,she was looking forward topastures new and would definitelynot be retiring.Electronic PayslipsUpdateFor the last twomonths, all SCRAstaff have been able to view theirelectronic payslips online.As the roll-out has been successful,this means that your October payslipwill be your final paper payslip.Reminders will be included in yourSeptember and October payslips.To view your electronic paysliponline you will need to logon toyour eHR account. Links to your eHRaccount and guidance on how touse it are available from the ‘PeopleQuick Links’ on the home page ofConnect.If you have difficulty in accessingyour online account please contactyour local Transactions Teammember:East and Central Scotland:Crawford GardnerNorth West:Averil LockhartHead Office:Marjorie Riddellpage six

autumn 2011Follow up interview with Neil HunterNow six months in post, PrincipalReporter/CEO, Neil Hunter talks tothe National Reporter about hisexperiences so far…“Over the last few months I havetravelled across the country tomeet staff, but I still have moreoffices to visit.“I have received a warm welcomefrom staff and they have been verybalanced and measured in theirdiscussions, particularly aroundorganisational change.“I have now spent a fair bit of timein offices with different groups ofstaff. It has been incredibly valuablespending time with them andspeaking to them about the changeprogramme, how it is impacting onthem and their roles.“It is clear that parts of theorganisational change processhave been unsettling for staff, butthis seems to be changing, peopleare starting to think positivelyabout how their Locality willdevelop, and they are exploringthe opportunities available tothem in this new structure.Hopefully people’s thinking hasshifted from uncertainty to clearerunderstanding of the new structureand roles.”Neil recently attended the twoLocality Development Days.Speaking after the second event,he said: “I have been keen toemphasise to staff that I am notemotionally attached to the Localitymodel. It was something that wasdeveloped before I joined SCRA.“However, having had time toreview the new and the oldstructure, it is clear to me that theformer model was hierarchical andtop heavy.“The new model is modern andflexible and it is exactly whatorganisations such as SCRA aremoving to in response to thechanging environment we work in.“I genuinely believe that in thelong term, the new model issomething which will deliverbenefits for the organisation. Thiswill be underpinned by a newset of working arrangements,devolved authority, an emphasison collaboration and co-operationand a change in the organisationalculture.“We need to be mindful andrespectful of our colleagues andensure we value every role in SCRA.“This new model will make thebusiness more sustainable in thelonger term. Decisions impactingon children and young people willbe made in our local communities,not at the centre. Our nationalfunctions will be focused onproviding proactive, effectivesupport and interventions for ourLocalities.”Neil has also spent timereviewing our existing processesand examining the new CaseManagement System. He can seethe potential benefits of the newsystem, he explained:Neil at work in Ochil House.“I was visiting the Selkirk Teamrecently and staff explained thesheer logistics of moving case filesbetween offices and Hearings.There’s a lot of transactions to getthe files from A to B.“The new system will cut downon this and staff can work on theirfiles wherever they are. The systemwill definitely allow people to workmore flexibly and efficiently.“I’m looking forward to the pilotand the roll out so everyone canexperience the new system forthemselves.”Neil has also spent time meetingkey partners, including buildingUPDATEcontinued ...page seven

autumn 2011relationships with Children’sHearings Scotland (CHS).He now meets with BernadetteMonaghan, National Convener ofCHS on a regular basis.Neil explained: “Initially we focusedon building and strengthening ourrelationship with each other as wewere both new in post.“Now we are exploring jointprogrammes and processes, whereappropriate, as it is important thereis a clear blue water between ourfunctions.“SCRA and CHS are currentlydeveloping a joint framework, butin the meantime, SCRA has securedthe provision of shared services toCHS, including HR, payroll, financeand accounting services.”To keep up to date with Neil ona regular basis, read his blog onConnect.Organisational change updateAs staff will be aware, as part ofthe wider organisational changeprocess, new and revised roles arebeing developed. Here is our regularupdate on progress…Senior Practitioner - Consultation forthe new role of Senior Practitionerclosed on 1 September. The role willbe advertised internally later thismonth.ASM - The ASM revised jobdescription entered its formal(and final) consultation phase lastweek. This was sent out to ASMsand posted on Connect. As we goforward, this role is likely to becalled Locality Support Manager.Support Assistant - A draft newjob description has been preparedby UNISON built on the feedbackfrom Yvonne Stewart and MaggieMcManus’s first circuit of thecountry.Further meetings with Support Staffare being arranged for the first twoweeks in October, and will featureinformation and presentation on theCase Management System, to helpthe discussion. The dates are:7 October, Civic Centre, Livingston10 October, Parish Hall, GeorgeStreet, Glasgow12 October, Aberdeen Office.Assistant Reporters - The phasedintroduction of the new batch ofAssistant Reporters is being planned,with the first two moving into theirrole at the end of September.Trainee Reporters - We will advertiseshortly for a further two TraineeReporters at the end of September,adding to the six already in post. Inthe meantime, the current TraineeReporters have just finished yearone of the two year programme.Locality Reporter Managers - VacantLRM posts will be filled next month(Tayside & Fife, and South East).The vacancies were advertised lastweek.In addition, work in the Localitiescontinues to progress and the nineLocalities continue to strengthenand mature.Two very productive LocalityDevelopment Days have now takenplace (23 August and 7 September)for the Locality leadership cohort,LRMs and ASMs.The days, which were attendedby as many LRMs and ASMs aspossible, along with Head Officemanagers, had three key themes –unity, direction and accountability.At both days actions and timescaleswere agreed - please click here toread them.More information on organisationalchange is available on Connect(including the Case Managementblog and the Support Staffdiscussion forum) and via MaggieMcManus’s monthly email updatesto all staff.Turn to page ten for an update onCase Management.REGULARpage eight

autumn 2011Edna is volunteer of the year!Support Assistant and Receptionist,Edna Mason from the Stirling/Clackmannanshire Team hasrecently been awarded ‘Volunteerof the Year’ for the Forth Valleyarea, in recognition of her workwith the charity Stirling FamilySupport Service (SFSS).SFSS was set up by a group ofmothers whose children had adrugs problem. They now providesupport, information and trainingto individuals, families andcommunities on the issues createdby a family member’s substancemisuse.Edna receiving her award from Fergus Wood the Provostof Stirling.Edna is one of the foundermembers of the organisation.She told the National Reporter: “Igot involved with SFSS as I havepersonally been affected by thesubstance misuse of someone closeto me, and realised that not onlywas support needed for the personthemselves, but it was also badlyneeded for the family or friendswho were trying to support them.”As well as sitting on the SFSS Board,Edna runs the peer support groupfor family members and organisesmonthly support meetings.She also organises social activitiesout with the group, holiday respiteand even visits members inhospital.Through her work with SFSSEdna has completed her COSCA(Counselling and Psychotherapy inScotland) counselling skills and alsotraining on delivering a programmeof parenting skills.Everyone’s a winner!When asked about her nomination,Edna said: “When I found out thatI had been nominated I was ratherembarrassed about it, but at thesame time proud that SFSS thoughtof nominating me.“When I actually won the award Iwas in a state of shock as so manypeople with worthwhile causeshad been nominated and I felt veryhumbled that I was chosen.“I didn’t think for a moment thatI was going to win an award or Iwould have put some make-up on!”Janice Beaton, Service Manager atSFSS said: “Edna has a very activeand busy life with two part timejobs, children and grandchildren tosupport. However she still finds thetime, dedication and commitmentto give to others.“Edna deserves this award anddeserves to be recognised bythis service for her outstandingdedication and commitment toproviding support no matter what ittakes.”page nine

autumn 2011Case Management - recent progressThroughout the summer, the CaseManagement Project Team andReference Group have been busydeveloping and testing variousaspects of the new system.Lead Reporter on the project IainGault, told the National Reporter:“We have tackled a huge numberof subjects and screens over thepast few months, from electronicredaction and electronic panelpapers to the creation of meetingsand the recording of Hearings,warrant and CPO outcomes.“There has also been a substantialamount of work carried out underthe first phase of documentscanning which involves the casesof those children on a SupervisionRequirement. We would like tothank all the members of staff whohave been involved in this piece ofwork.”Two new EMC colleagues havealso joined the team. PrasWillatgamuwa, who is focussingon the outputs of the new system(letters, notifications and reportrequests) and Jonathan Baileywho is responsible for the datamigration from RAD to the newsystem.Presentations of the new systemhave also been delivered to seniormanagement and to those staffwho will be the first to adopt thenew system. The initial responseof staff has been very encouragingand their feedback to the projectteam has been both helpful andconstructive.It is clear that the way that thenew system works is very differentfrom the RAD but, equally, that theoverall design of the new systemmakes intuitive sense to those staffwho will operate the new system.With the development and build ofthe new Case Management Systemalmost complete, thoughts arenow turning to implementation.Planning and PerformanceManager, Shirley MacDonald willbe managing the implementationof the new system along with otherchange projects under the BusinessImplementation Programme.This programme of work will runalongside the pilot stage of theCase Management Project.Shirley explains: “The purposeof the Business ImplementationProgramme is to ensure that keychange projects, including CaseManagement, are implementedas effectively and efficiently aspossible.“The implementation will besplit into two phases, phase Afrom September to December2011, will look at the readinessof the organisation for theimplementation, and so will coverareas such as reducing backlogsand casework delay, phase 2 ofbackscanning, revised Scheme ofDelegation and training.There has alsobeen a substantialamount of workcarried out underthe first phase ofdocument scanning“Phase B will be the actualimplementation of the system,which will take place from Januaryto March 2012. ”Shirley added “I am really lookingforward to the challenge ofmanaging this programme ofwork. It’s an exciting time for SCRAand there’s lots to do and I amconfident if we all work togetherwe will be able to achieve it.”More information will be availablesoon, but in the meantime pleasecheck the Case Management Blogfor regular updates.page ten

autumn 2011Organising a fundraiser? Let us know - email the National ReporterPauline puts best foot forward!Central Locality Reporter Manager,Pauline Proudfoot pounded thestreets of Edinburgh earlier thisyear taking part in the annualMoonwalk.Pauline, along with a group offriends, completed the marathonwalk – all 26.2 miles – in just overseven hours.Pauline alone raised £912, while herfriends raised more than £3,000 aswell, with all the money going tobreast cancer charities.Pauline, who has receivedtreatment for breast cancer, toldthe National Reporter:“Cancer touches virtuallyeveryone’s lives in some way,including a number of ourcolleagues who have had or livewith cancer and those who arecurrently on their very personal‘journey’.“The more we can do to help, thebetter it will get - and the soonerthe better.Pauline is pictured far left with her friends after crossing the finish line and receiving their medals.“After all my treatment, I neverthought I’d be capable of doinganything requiring this level offitness ever again - so it’s beenan enormous milestone for mepersonally - only achieved throughthe continued support of myfamily and my buddies, includingcolleagues.”Pauline wants to thank everyonefor all their support and generosity,she said: “To everyone whosponsored me - it made a hugedifference to have such enormoussupport - through all the trainingand on the night itself - it reallykept me going.“You are all rather wonderful -so I want to say thank you fromthe bottom of my heart and the(unblistered Mr Schaffer!) soles ofmy feet.”Pauline is now encouraging othersto take part, she added: “If you’veever thought about the Moonwalk,but just haven’t ever quite gotround to it, then please ‘do it’ -it’s one of the most memorableexperiences of my life.“There was lots of laughter andtears - of the good variety, andmaximum ‘feel good’ factor. So ifyou want to be talked into it, youknow where I am!”page eleven

autumn 2011New complaints procedure ready for roll outSCRA has produced a newComplaints Handling Procedurewhich will be introduced across theorganisation later this autumn.The new procedure is in linewith the principles set out bythe Scottish Public ServicesOmbudsman for public bodies.The new procedure is simpler andmore streamlined than SCRA’sexisting procedure which has beenin place for some time. It empowersstaff to deal with complaints,specifically those which are dealtwith at the frontline. The fullprocedure has been developed bya group of staff from across theorganisation.Locality Reporter Manager, AlistairHogg, led the complaints review. Hetold the National Reporter:“We hope that this new procedurewill be easier to use, cutting downon the bureaucracy that was partof the existing procedure. A keyelement of the new procedure isrecording complaints, particularlythose dealt with quickly at thefrontline. We know that in the past,only a fraction of these complaintswere recorded, but if we are totruly learn from complaints andimprove our service, we need toensure that every complaint isrecorded.”Alistair explained: ‘‘To makerecording easier, a new electronicform has been developed. This willbe accessed via the ‘General QuickLinks’ section on the home page ofConnect. Every complaint, whetherit is resolved at the frontline, orrequires investigation, should belogged on this form which is in twoparts.“All you need to do is fill in the formand click submit. You just need tocopy in your line manager. You cansave the form if required and goback to it at a later stage.“Not all complaints are suitablefor frontline resolution and notall complaints will be satisfactorilyresolved at this stage.’’Alistair added: “Once the procedureis launched, if you have a complaintwhich cannot be resolved at thefrontline, please immediately logit on Connect and alert your linemanager. An investigation may berequired and we have 20 workingdays to respond to the complainant.”Examples of issues suitable forinvestigation include:Frontline resolution wasattempted, but the service userremains dissatisfied,The service user refuses to engagewith the frontline resolution process,The issues raised are complex andwill require detailed investigation,The complaint relates to issuesthat are identified as serious or highrisk/profile.The Complaints Handling Procedurecovers the investigation stage in full.If the complaint cannot besatisfactorily resolved at thefrontline or investigation stage, thenit is referred to the Scottish PublicServices Ombudsman.The new Complaints HandlingProcedure will be supported by atraining plan to ensure staff areable to get the most from the newprocedure. More information aboutthe training programme will beavailable shortly. Every member ofSCRA staff needs to be aware of theprinciples of the new procedure.To make this easier a StaffInstruction note is being prepared.There will also be an at a glanceposter for staff so they can dealeffectively and efficiently with afrontline complaint.page fourteen

autumn 2011Praise for ReporterWin a £30 WHSmith gift card click hereSCRA Staff Event 2011A Reporter has been praised forher work following a presentationto Sir Peter Housden. Colette StJohn, a Reporter in East Ayrshire,was asked to give a multi agencypresentation to Sir Peter, the headof the civil service in Scotland.Colette and colleagues told thestory of ‘Tommy’ a child at risk,who received early intervention inhis life.in the last couple of years, so thismeant contacting lots of differentlocal authorities down south to getas much information as possible.”There was a CPO for Tommywhen he was a new born and heis now two years old and living infoster care. It’s just recently beenconfirmed that his foster parentsare suitable for the long term careof Tommy.“They had spotted the risk prebirthand it has persisted throughto the present day.“This was a harrowing tale andbrought out vividly. The skill,determination and insight you needto produce results in these complexand contested situations, with legalrecourse available to the naturalparents at every turn.SCRA’s annual Staff Event will takeplace on Friday 11 November2011 in The Royal Concert Hall,Glasgow.Planning for the day is nowunderway and a group of staffis currently preparing the draftprogramme. Topics for theday will include organisationalchange, case management, newroles/localities and finance.Colette said it was an extremelycomplicated case. She told theNational Reporter: “We wereasked to prepare the presentationspecially for Sir Peter’s visit to EastAyrshire.“We were under a bit of pressureto get it done as we only had aweek’s notice, but we managed topull together all the informationinto the presentation.“It is a really complex case.Tommy came to the attentionof the authorities before he wasborn. There was concern over hisparents. They had 50 addressesColette added: “Sir Peter was reallyinterested in the presentation andasked lots of questions. We were allreally pleased with how it went.”Sir Peter commended thepresentation in his weekly blog onSaltire, which SCRA staff can viewvia Connect.He said: “I was particularlyinterested to learn about theChildren’s Hearings System inaction, and the team really broughtthis to life in a very movingpresentation about their work toprotect a child at risk.“The boy is now two and livinghappily with a foster parent, butthere remains much to do beforehis future is settled.“I really did admire theseprofessionals - their insight, poiseand commitment was reallytremendous.”As well as Sir Peter’s comments,Colette also received a letter ofthanks from Susan Taylor, Headof Service, Children & Families &Criminal Justice at East AyrshireCouncil.An invite has already been issuedand staff are asked to respondby Monday 3 October. There isspace for 200 members of staff toattend.A guest speaker has beenconfirmed as Mike Kirby,UNISON’s Scottish Secretary. Inaddition there will be a numberof stalls, including engagementwith children and young people,Healthy Working Lives andUNISON.To sign up to attend the eventemail the Communications Team.page fifteen

autumn 2011Court Project underwayConnect survey updateMore and more Court work isbecoming part of every day life forSCRA’s Reporters.In response to this, and as part ofthe commitment in the ReporterTraining Framework to review coretraining provided to Reporters, aCourt Training Review Group hasbeen established.The Group is being led by PracticeManager Gill Short and mainlycomprises operational Reporters.challenges to proposed actions toprotect children.“There have always been a smallnumber of lengthy complexproofs, but these now appear tobe growing, and in addition manyappeals are taking longer, withmore requirements for evidence tobe led.”Malcolm continued: “Under thenew act, these demands are likelyto grow as new grounds and ordersare subject to legal challenge.”Following the survey that wascarried out in May, a numberof changes have been madeto Connect and more are nowplanned.The results from the surveyenabled the Press andCommunications Team to write adetailed action plan outlining theimprovements that would be madeto Connect – based on the resultsof the survey and the feedback thatyou gave us.to update and rationalise theinformation available on Connect.“Some sections have also beenmoved to help ensure that thestructure and layout is as logical aspossible, so for example the ‘AboutSCRA’ section contains much moreinformation now.”Further changes will beimplemented during October. A sitemap has been created to help staffnavigate their way around Connect.Their brief is to change thetraining available for Reportersand Assistant Reporters, to offerdifferent modules according toneed. Staff have already had thechance to give their views on thesubject through a discussion forumon Connect.Malcolm Schaffer, Head of Practiceand Policy explained: “Court workin particular has been a challengefor us, both in terms of workloadand in the knowledge and skillsrequired to resist significantA separate group chaired byMalcolm Schaffer and involvingHead Office and operational staff,is developing SCRA’s strategy fordealing with both higher and Sheriffcourt work.This work will include lookingat how the new roles of SeniorPractitioner and Assistant Reportercan assist with court work andlooking at how we can make betteruse of the resources and skills thatalready exist within SCRA.A number of these improvementshave already been implementedfor example, the changes made tothe home page and the addition ofthe ‘Practice’ and ‘People’ QuickLinks and the redevelopment ofthe ‘Help’ section to include moreguidance on a range of subjects.Communications Officer, LesleyTaylor said:“Over the summer a lot of work hasbeen going on behind the scenesAlso a new ‘A-Z’ section is beingset up again to help staff find theinformation they are looking for.Also guidance on how to get thebest out of the Practice section willbe published and includes hints andtips on alerts and searching.If you have any ideas as to howwe could improve Connectfurther, please get in touch via theCommunications Mailbox. Thankyou.page sixteen

autumn 2011Win a £30 WHSmith gift card click hereNick’s adventure on the Silk RoadSCRA’s Policy and Public AffairsManager, Nick Hobbs, recently tookthree months unpaid leave to travelalong the Silk Road through Chinaand Central Asia.His journey didn’t get off to a greatstart as his passport got held up anddidn’t arrive in time for his flight!However, after a few days delay andwith a new flight booked, Nick finallyarrived in Beijing at the beginning ofJune to start his big adventure.Nick’s journey took him across China,Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan,Georgia and finally to Istanbul. Hehas lots of great memories and over700 photos from his trip, but therewere a few places in particular thatreally stick out in his mind, the firstof these being the Great Wall ofChina.Nick said: “We went to a quietpart of the Wall not frequentedby tourists and that hasn’t beenrestored, so you got a much bettersense of its history and age. Atone point I could see for miles, butThe Great Wall of China.couldn’t see another soul - theviews were utterly spectacular.”Whilst still in China, Nick took acamel trip out into the Gobi desert,where his group camped for thenight. He said: “Over long distances,the camel is not a comfortableanimal to ride, but it was easy to bedistracted by the scenery, which wasmajestic once we were into the sanddunes. Watching the sun set andrise over the dunes and watchingthe stars over the desert at nightwas also pretty special.“Heavenly Lake was another of myfavourites”, explained Nick. “I hadmet a couple who offered to driveme there. Somehow, they managedto arrange a real life Chinesepolice car, complete with reallife uniformed police officer whoproceeded to chauffeur us the 40kmup to the lake, bypassing all theticket offices and toll booths in theprocess! I have absolutely no ideahow they arranged it and wasn’tsure I wanted to inquire too closely!“The lake is up in the Tien Shanmountains and was very beautifulin an alpine kind of way. Therewas a sign intended to keep youfrom walking on the grass – whichwas translated into English as ‘thegreen grass is afraid of your feet,’showing the perils of word for wordtranslation!”Nick’s journey then took him intoCentral Asia, including Uzbekistan- and the three legendary SilkRoad cities of Samarkand, Bukharaand Khiva, the latter being Nick’sfavourite. He said: “The old centreof Khiva - the Ichon Qala - isastonishingly well preserved. Atnight, or in the early morning youcan imagine yourself back in thecity’s heyday long ago, it really doesfeel like stepping back in time.”Nick added: “It’s been a great tripand I’m so pleased I was able todo it. Now thoughts are turning tothe other branch of the Silk Roadwhich heads out of Uzbekistan viaTurkmenistan, Iran and Lebanon.Maybe next time.”If you would like to read more aboutNick’s adventure, he kept a blogwhilst on his travels.Nick on his camel trip.page seventeen

autumn 2011The next edition of the National Reporter will be published in mid DecemberTea-break word searchE O D C R S E P C A S G O M W EG O E O O E N M T C B T T G S AK E S R M A T O E C E T E O B RE O R O O S E S S E M S E I T NT R L N E T O M W D S E G S O RS H I A O E E A M C T B H K D CY M O T A N A S Y E R G M O A ME Y R I E D O C T O R W H O A TR W O O D E R E T E D D G P O MM T T N F R S H E T A E A S O MD R C S S S E L E M A H S L O CE W A T E R L O O E O A D A E TE S F R Y O C W S E R A M O R NX O X E E E E R S C R E E L S TO L T E H E I Y T S E E O H E OO O A T O T G T C C O S L I R SWelcome to our interactive tea-break teaser.Now the nights are drawing in, why not curl up on the sofa towatch your favourite soap or tv drama? However, if nothing onthe box takes your fancy, why not enter our word search to wina £30 gift card for WHSmith, so you can treat yourself to somebooks or a dvd instead!Simply click on the word search and it will open up a new windowfor you and it will show you the 10 words you need to find.The competition closes on Monday 3 October 2011.page eighteen