About Barry Richards
- Address:
PACT Ltd
65 Duthie Terrace
Aberdeen
AB10 7PS - Telephone:
01224 326707 - Mobile:
07845659177 - Email:
Barry Richards
Profile:
Barry is a management professional, with formal qualifications and extensive experience in both local authority and voluntary sectors. He has experience in developing and implementing policy, managing change, developing innovative approaches and redesigning services to meet current and future needs. Successfully generated substantial capital and revenue funding. Continuing to develop knowledge and skills through formal study. Barry is a partner in Positive Approaches, Consultancy and Training Ltd and is currently undertaking consultancy work in the Borders and Central belt of Scotland.
Major Achievements Include;
(A) Mental Health
- Led 40+ organisations' input into north east Scotland's mental health strategy, influencing outcomes.
- Played a significant part in implementation by greatly expanding services and advising smaller bodies with complementary roles.
- Successfully supported the development of the service user movement.
(B) Children's Services
- Played an active part in the management of Child Protection Committees.
- Transformed child protection services to create a thriving range of modern services to meet future needs.
- Influenced joint planning for children's services.
- Chaired a local children's charity through a vulnerable phase to secure ongoing funding.
(C) Learning Disability
- Co-founded a major service provider, with local authority and voluntary sector partners.
- Developed new residential care facilities.
(D) Education And Training
- Led voluntary sector input regionally and nationally, influencing policy and resource allocation.
- Led inter-agency establishment of Scotland's first SVQ (Scottish Vocational Qualification) centre for social care.
- Co-founded joint education and training infrastructure in the North of Scotland.
Experience;
October 2007
Appointed by Clinical Services Director, NHS Lothian and Midlothian Council to Project Manage preparations for establishment of a rapid response team (part-time).
June 2007 to Present.
Partner in Positive Approaches, Consultancy & Training Ltd, undertaking consultancy with Scottish Borders, Midlothian and East Lothian Councils on workforce development issues.
February 2007- July 2007
Refreshed practice skills, as Locum Social Worker in Midlothian Social Work Department Children's Services
October 2006 - January 2007
Following voluntary redundancy, researched for Master of Public Administration Degree studies.
January 1986 -September 2006
Deputy Chief Executive, Voluntary Service Aberdeen (VSA)
- Led on major areas of strategy and project development to contribute to growth in turnover from £1 million p.a. to £15 million with corresponding growth in service provision, property and staffing.
- From December 2005, focused on developing the Quality Assurance system, policy, future service development, governance issues and disaster planning whilst continuing to manage training, practice teaching and the volunteer centre. Prior to that date, managed and developed all services to children and families and to vulnerable adults plus volunteer-based services, training and practice teaching.
- Throughout, contributed to all decision-making by the Senior Management Team and dealt with matters such as marketing, budgeting, staffing, the conduct of enquiries and relations with regulators.
- Barry's role also entailed extensive and diverse external activity, a few examples of which are noted here.
National - Inter-agency activity included SSSC (Scottish Social Services Council) working groups; membership of CCETSW (Central Council for Education and Training in Social Work) Scottish Committee and its Finance and Audit sub-committee; TOPSS (Training Organisation for Personal Social Services) and it's Workforce Planning Group; and a Scottish Office Working Group.
City / Regional - Activity included the Community Health Partnership; joint planning for mental health services; the North of Scotland Learning Network: joint planning of children's services.
Voluntary Organisation - Input including co-founding Inspire (now a major provider), chairing Family Mediation Grampian and current membership of Mental Health Aberdeen's Board of Directors.
These experiences enhanced my skills in negotiating and influencing and in strategic planning and lobbying.
September 1970 - December 1985
Worked for local authorities in Scotland and England, in managerial posts from 1976. Broad operational experience and participation in Chief Officer working groups.
Qualifications;
- BA (Hons) Philosophy; 1970 St. David's University College, Wales.
- CQSW (Certificate of Qualification in Social Work) & Home Office Letter of Recognition in Child Care; 1973 Keele University, Staffordshire.
- Masters Public Administration (Distinction); 2007 Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen.