Date: Thursday 6 March 2014
Today (Thursday, 6 March 2014) UNISON commented on the decision by Quarriers Board of Trustees to close Seafield School of Wellbeing in Ardrossan – and the Merton House in Largs and Williamfield in Irvine.
Deborah Dyer UNISON regional organiser said:
“This is very concerning news and we will be asking questions as to how this decision was made. As recently as January 2014 a report from the Care Inspectorate said Seafield School had made significant progress, it had a calm and purposeful ethos and a clear focus on learning. The report also said the school was getting a significant number of boys back into main stream schooling.”
“This decision will not only have a detrimental effect on the children, it is devastating news for the 69 staff who had put so much effort into turning this school around.”
“We are concerned that the leadership of this organisation failed to modernise and develop a new model of care for the families and children involved.”
ENDS
Notes to editors
- Link to Care Inspectorate, Report on Seafield School of Wellbeing, Ardrossan, 21 January 2014. http://www.educationscotland.gov.uk/
Images/SeafieldSchoolofWellbeingIns210114_tcm4-825172.pdf - Further details and reports can be found at Quarriers websitehttp://www.quarriersseafield.org.uk/ index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=16&Itemid=9
- UNISON is the largest trade union in Scotland representing 160,000 members across Scotland’s public services. We represent the majority of the staff at Seafield School of Wellbeing
Unison Scottish organiser Dave Watson said a race to the bottom in procurement was a big concern for many charities. “Many of those involved in delivering services are really struggling,” he said. “People are having to cut corners in order to win contracts. Unless procurement is sorted out, this difficulty is not going to go away. We need a more credible approach.”
For further information contact:
- Deborah Dyer regional organiser head of community in Scotland with responsibility for Quarriers staff. 07538101225
- Trisha Hamilton / Danny Phillips, UNISON Scotland’s communications officer. 0141 342 2877 / 07944 664110