Rumblings in the Hallways

Kathleen Mulvey writes
Rumblings in the hallways, debates in the classroom, chats and cuppas in units, homes and schools across the country 2010  saw the dawn of The Scottish Residential Childcare Workers Association (SRCCWA) 
You might have heard or read about the inaugural meeting in Perth in May and your interest may have been peaked enough to consider attending the follow up meeting in Livingston in September. However are you yet to take the plunge because you’re still not sure if it’s for you, or what exactly it’s all about?  Or maybe you’ve been following us on facebook, twitter, http://www.residentialchildcarenetwork.com/ or http://www.goodenoughcaring.com/  and just want to know more.  That’s why we were grateful for this opportunity to share the more personal motivation of a one of our members who is eager to seize the day!

Neil Gray is a residential childcare practitioner for West Lothian Council.
Neil, What made you decide to attend a meeting of the SRCCWA?
I attended the inaugural meeting in Perth out of frustration at the lack of representation for residential practitioners and out of hope that things could be different. At that very first meeting I listened anxiously to Laura Steckley, Mark Smith and fellow practitioners from around Scotland and they all struck a chord with me in their initial address. It feels like the time is right for all residential practitioners to be at the forefront of any change in how we develop, train and go forward.
What do you want from the association?
The formation of the SRCCWA will give us strength in numbers, increased visibility, professional identity and status. What is our identity in 2010? Who will decide if we don’t? We need to frame our own experience and let this be the flag that flies high. I want an Association we can be proud of, take ownership of. One, which allows us to build trust and relationships with everyone who cares about our young people.
In what way do you think the association can achieve this?
We need a voice, a strong voice that is recognized as being representative of a professional workforce and is in constant contact with ministers, government departments and other influential bodies. I want to be part of an Association that is committed to keeping members in touch with what affects them and is at the forefront of residential childcare development.
I understand and recognize this is a challenging and exciting venture.  Every journey begins with a single step. I believe Perth was that first step and I know we have some way to go towards full recognition, but together we will have the support and confidence for the journey to make positive changes. I believe it will be the combination of direct and indirect practitioners working in partnership through the association that will achieve this.   We need to hear all those voices and rally collectively.  This is a workers’ association but no man is an island; we value those practitioners no longer in direct work that are out there supporting the workforce through training, education etc.  I know this probably makes people think that the scope of membership is really broad. I guess at this stage it’s about recognizing that, because of the need for increased training and education many of our colleagues have moved away from direct work but anyone who has worked in residential childcare knows that you might take the person out of ressie but you can’t take the ressie out of the person. 
So on that lighthearted note I will say that I hope the association will boldly go where no one has gone before.
The SRCCWA will publish a newsletter in December which will be available on-line and in hard copy across the country this will let you all know plans for the coming year,  in the meantime you can keep up to date through facebook, twitter and http://www.residentialchildcarenetwork/.  Also keep an eye out for the new SIRCC website which will include a link to our electronic sign up for members.  This will be the official way to join the association and get your membership number and allow the association to keep in direct contact with you.