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Consultation is key to supporting families
North Ayrshire Council and its partners are streamlining their approach to ensuring children have the best possible start to life.
The council already works in partnership with other organisations – such as NHS Ayrshire and Arran – when it comes to the wellbeing and rights of children.
The council’s Cabinet was recently provided with an update on the proposed joint planning approach for children and families.
This will see the relevant partners working more closely together on formal planning and reporting processes, including matters like the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, children’s services and reducing child poverty.
The aims include strengthening whole-family support and targeting resources more effectively to improve life for children, young people and families.
A tighter partnership approach aligns with the Scottish Government’s Whole Family Support (WFS) project, which will include the council as one of seven ‘early adopter’ local authorities.
The WFS project is ongoing and has highlighted the need to remove complex reporting and overlap by partner organisations in their dealings with the same families as this can hamper residents from getting the vital support they need.
A cross-service working group has been set up by the Children’s Services Strategic Partnership to review existing plans, examine data and create a shared vision for the future.
Quote: The aim of the joint planning approach for children and families is to bring partner organisations together in collaboration for the benefit of residents who need support, with aims including reducing inequality and improving their quality of life. It has been informed by consultation with – and feedback from – our children and young people. Ongoing feedback and consultation will form a key part of the plan. Supporting our young people and families is paramount, and it is encouraging to see that our own council officers and partner organisations will be working more closely – and more efficiently – together going forward. Having a shared vision will improve our ability to help the people who are relying on us.
Quote from: Councillor Shaun Macaulay, Cabinet Member for Education and Young People
At its most recent meeting (27 January), Cabinet noted the progress made so far by the cross-service working group, agreed to support ongoing development work to
Published: 02 February 2026