The advantages of joint working between schools and the community will be the focus of an educational conference which is set to attract high profile delegates from education, health, and social care agencies.
The event, entitled Service Integration in Scottish Schools: Values, Vision and Vital Voices, will take place on Friday, June 10, 2005, in the King’s College Centre, University of Aberdeen.
Following on from the success of last year’s conference which explored the future priorities for the provision of services for children and young people, this year’s event is a relevant forum for further learning about and sharing the principles and practices of working together in schools in Scotland to provide effective joint services for all children and young people.
Dr Joan Forbes, Senior Lecturer in the University of Aberdeen’s School of Education, said the conference was a vital communication tool to allow education professionals to unite and share ideas. She said: “The focus of this year's conference is engaging the 'vital voices' of all those involved in working with a range of professionals in schools and children's services' integration initiatives and projects.
“The conference will offer delegates valuable opportunities to learn about international, national and local efforts and initiatives and to participate and contribute to the debates around these new and sometimes challenging ways of working.”
Professor C Duncan Rice, Principal of the University of Aberdeen, will welcome the delegates before the conference is officially opened by Rowena Arshad, OBE, Equal Opportunities Commissioner and Director of the Centre for Education for Racial Equality in Scotland.
Conference speakers include Professor Roy McConkey, University of Ulster; Margaret Doran, Head of Schools, Stirling Council Children’s Services; and Professor Lyn Tett, University of Edinburgh.
Professor Walter Humes, Director of Research in the University of Aberdeen’s School of Education, will deliver the plenary session. Professor Humes is an internationally known and respected academic in the field of education research.
The conference speakers will explore current practices and future prospects for interagency working and evaluate how working together is currently operating in one Scottish local authority area.
The conference will focus on the development of joint working between schools and a range of agencies, providing an opportunity for delegates from education, health social care to hear and share ideas. The event is aimed at all practitioners working within these agencies and others with a professional interest in Scottish schools.
The event has been organised by the NEXUS research group, which is part of the University of Aberdeen’s School of Education. NEXUS members work across a number of courses and research projects and the Interface Centre within the School of Education, and the Rowan Group in the School of Social Science.
For further information or to book a place on Service Integration in Scottish Schools: Values, Vision and Vital Voices, on Friday, June 10, contact Dr Forbes on (01224) 274840 or email: jennifer.boyd@abdn.ac.uk