| UNISON City of Edinburgh Branch |
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9 December 2001 UNISON calls for re-think on 'flawed' Edinburgh Scrutiny Panel report UNISON's Edinburgh Branch says the City of Edinburgh Council's Community Services Scrutiny Panel report on the care and education of vulnerable girls and young women is 'fundamentally flawed' and must not be used as basis for planning future services in its current form. The union has provided a detailed 23 page response and has asked to be allowed to give evidence to the Scrutiny Panel due to meet on 11 December. "While we support the principle of the study, we regret that this report has failed to evidence most of its recommendations, it has failed to consult staff and users in a host of Council projects dealing with the majority of vulnerable girls and young women in Edinburgh and it has failed to grasp important issues about the role of residential schooling and child protection procedures", said John Stevenson, UNISON Edinburgh Branch Secretary. In the response, UNISON says, "We are aware that we have been negative in many areas. This has stemmed from the report appearing to start from a set of assumptions, in some cases stereotypical, about the 'statutory' sector, rather than examining all the available evidence and consulting the staff who deliver services to the majority of the young people concerned". "Our members have felt ignored, undervalued and to an extent the victims of unwarranted and un-evidenced criticism at a time when they are having to strive hard to maintain high standards of practice in the face of a very difficult resource situation. This is especially true of the unevidenced allegation that vulnerable girls and young women are subject to more harsh treatment on sexual issues due to stereotypical views". UNISON also believes that crucial short term funding issues that lead to uncertainty in the voluntary sector with the resultant effects on staff conditions have not been adequately addressed. "We hope that the positive aspects of the report can be taken forward but we have unfortunately concluded that the report is flawed and cannot as a whole provide a basis for future strategic planning", added Mr Stevenson. ENDS Note for Editors: UNISON Edinburgh's response is available from the address above or at www.unison-edinburgh.org.uk/scrutiny.html |
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