South Lanarkshire children benefit from school-based workers

A scheme that places social workers in South Lanarkshire schools
has improved outcomes for disadvantaged children and families, a
council head said.

Under the integrated children’s services programme, social workers
are placed with health professionals at 12 of the area’s schools,
with a further nine possibly to follow.

The scheme is seen as a forerunner of extended schools in England,
Brenda Doyle, South Lanarkshire’s head of children and family
services, said exclusions had dropped by 75 per cent and attendance
and attainment had improved at its pilot school since 2000. The
scheme had also helped the council divert support packages to
children and families that most needed them.

“There has been more of a focus from wider universal services –
including social work, teachers and leisure services – on
looked-after children and they are now much more proactive,” she
said.