The City of Edinburgh Council agreed on Thursday to relax procurement rules when trying to fulfil its supportive role of some pupils in Edinburgh schools.
The move by SNP councillors will allow the council to be less hemmed in by bureacracy when financing purchases to fulfil its obligations in terms of “The Promise”. This is a pledge introduced by then First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon in 2020, to ensure that “care experienced children and young people grow up loved and safe”.
“The Promise exists to support the transformation of how Scotland cares for its children, their families and care experienced adults. At its heart, this transformation must be built on what they tell us matters most to them.”
Motion to council
Cllr Adam Nols-McVey proposed the motion explaining that while the council has an obligation to achieve best value when using public money, some of the schools involved fundraise the monies used. The schools also obtain funding from other outside sources and the council’s own rules around procurement can have an adverse effect.
Relaxing procurement rules
The council spends more than £1 billion annually and works with contractors and providers to ensure that the good bought provide value for money.
In some cases funds raised to fulfil The Promise may need to be spent urgently – and so formal procurement can get in the way.
The council has now agreed to look at ways of relaxing the rules. Officers will produce a new report setting out options for changes to allow teachers and schools to spend their existing budgets without too much formality. At the moment some of the spending has to go through social workers adding to the delay, and teachers have said it is not always the most appropriate way of supporting young people.
Cllr Nols-McVey said: “I’m delighted that we’ve now set wheels in motion to give teachers the flexibility to spend money on care-experienced young people without undue delays or having to jump through hoops. When a young people asks for help it should be given as quickly as possible. Teachers see our young people almost every day and being to provide support in real time will be invaluable. The delays that have happened until now will hopefully soon be a thing of the past.
“This won’t cost anything additional but empowering schools to spend money they already have to support their students would make a huge difference in Edinburgh’s ability to meet The Promise to our young people.”
The Five Foundations of The Promise:
Voice: Children must be listened to and meaningfully involved in decisions about their care, supported by a compassionate culture focused on them and those they trust.
Family: Children who are safe and feel loved in their families should stay there, with families given all the help they need to stay together and overcome difficulties.
Care: If living with family is not possible, children should stay with their brothers and sisters (when safe) and belong to a stable, loving home for as long as needed.
People: Children in care must be actively supported to build strong relationships with the workforce and the wider community, who must also be supported to listen and care with compassion
Scaffolding: Children, families, and the workforce must be backed by a reliable system providing the necessary help, support, and accountability when it is needed.
