AGM 2021: Taking Charge
On Tuesday 30 November 2021, 50 representatives of our membership came together to have their say on the future work and governance of SDSS. They also heard from a range of speakers and participated in our interactive workshops.
With a theme of ‘Taking charge: Maximising SDSS Membership for positive change’, the AGM was held online and focused on our membership, based on feedback received following previous events and through our membership renewal campaign.
The AGM kicked off at 10am with the formal meeting which included the acceptance of updates to the Articles of Association and the voting of new Board Members.
We will formally welcome our new Board in a separate update.
Anna Kynaston, Deputy Director for the National Care Service Division, Scottish Government, joined the event as our first key speaker. Anna outlined the progression of the NCS development and how the government is mobilising around outcomes to embed independent expertise and lived experience. During discussions, Anna invited our members interested in the National Care Service to join the Scottish Government Key Stakeholder Reference Group, focussing specifically on the co-design work of the NCS, on Monday 10 January 2022.
A draft agenda can be seen below:
- Welcome and introductions, 15.00-15.05 – Anna Kynaston
- Service design/co-design overview presentation, 15.05-15.20 – Cat Macaulay/Rachel Dowle
- Q&A/discussion session, 15.20-15.55 – Attendees
- Closing remarks & AOB, 15.55-16.00 – Anna Kynaston
If you’d like to join the meeting, please contact Rachael.Anderson@gov.scot
Following Anna’s update, Clare Gallagher and Dr Elaine Webster from the University of Strathclyde joined us to explore their research project ‘Accountability and the Implementation of Self-directed Support: Complaints, Redress, and Human Rights Principles in Practice’.
You can contact Clare by email at clare.gallagher.2019@uni.strath.ac.uk
The last key speaker of the morning was Ailsa McAllister, Social Work Scotland, who presented an update on the 12th SDS Standard – Budget and Finance.
To learn more about the Standards, please contact sds.team@socialworkscotland.org
Participants re-joined the event after lunch to participate in interactive workshops focused on supporting and representing their organisations in the year ahead. The workshop descriptions can be found in our programme and contact details for facilitators can be requested by emailing info@sdsscotland.org.uk
The team at SDSS would like to say a big thank you to our members, key speakers and workshop facilitators for their contribution and we look forward to welcoming you all to our future events.