This section examines strategic planning and planning to deliver services at school level.
Strategic planning for better partnership working
Single outcome agreements are the means by which Community Planning Partnerships agree the strategic priorities for their local area. These are expressed as outcomes to be delivered by partners, clearly showing how their individual contribution supports the Scottish Government National Outcomes. Community planning is a process which helps public agencies to work together with the community to plan and deliver better services in their area. The Scottish Government and local government share an ambition for outcome focused planning and delivery of public services in Scotland.
The Single Outcome Agreement is relevant to the daily activities of education staff and allied health professionals. Leadership at an operational level needs to be supported by effective planning and communication at a strategic level. All planning at every level below the single outcome agreement needs to be in line with and contribute to the outcomes identified in the single outcome agreement. This includes planning to meet the needs of individual young people.
Jointly planning the delivery of services at school level
At the level of individual schools, the partnership between allied health professions and schools is made more effective when partnership working is discussed at the start of the school year and minuted or set out in a service level agreement. This however is more or less relevant depending upon the allied health profession and the size of the school. An arts therapist may have very limited contact with a school and an orthoptists may only visit at a set time to carry out screening tests. Where there is regular involvement with a school, an annual meeting can help schools to be clear what level of service they can expect. In turn it helps allied health professionals to work within their agreed remit and to agree timescales. The discussion which takes place to clarify the service to be provided also helps allied health professionals and education staff to understand the limitations within which each operates.