The Highland Council has appointed Bill Alexander to the temporary post of Chief Operating Officer in the Social Work Service. Over the next six months, Mr Alexander will step aside from his substantive role as Head of Children's Services to work directly to Harriet Dempster, Director of Social Work, to lead the modernisation of social work services for adults. This will involve the continued development of home care, as well as other key services for older people, and those with disabilities or mental health needs. It will also support further integration of the management and delivery of health and social care, and the Chief Executives of both The Highland Council and NHS Highland joined with Mrs Dempster in making the appointment.
Mr Alexander has managed the national "Getting it right for every child" pathfinder initiative in Highland. He has held management responsibilities within child health and education, as well as social work. Some of these duties will be assumed by another Head of Service, Jon King. Another senior colleague, Janet Spence, will lead a small, dedicated team to support the development of new systems and practices.
Mr Alexander said: "I am looking forward to working with colleagues across Social Work and partner agencies, to respond to the increasing demands on community care services. The Highland Council has set out a significant programme of modernisation, and I shall be supporting staff and managers to help turn these plans into action."
Mr Alexander has indicated that he recognises the particular financial challenges that face the Council at this time, and that he will not be accepting the additional salary (saving the associated annual cost of £25,000) that goes with this post.
Councillor Michael Foxley, Leader of the Council's Administration, welcomed the appointment. He said: "We need to strengthen the senior management team in Social work to deal with the complex professional and financial issues involved with joint community care with the NHS."
Alistair Dodds, Chief Executive of The Highland Council, said: "This is a period of significant challenge for all Social Work Departments in Scotland. All authorities are having to make provision for greater demand on community care services, including the budgetary pressures that follow. The Council has put the necessary structures in place to lead a process of review, reform and the continued development of these valuable services to Highland communities."
Harriet Dempster, Director of Social Work, said: "We have made a first class appointment, which will allow us to focus on further improvements in services. We are working with NHS Highland to deliver and implement a joint Community Care Plan, and Mr Alexander will lead a team of colleagues who will bring this to fruition."