John is a management professional, with formal qualifications in Social Work and Community Care and extensive experience in both local authority and the voluntary sector.

He has extensive experience of developing and improving services to meet current and future need within the context of "best practice and value".

His experience as a lecturer at The Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen, Social Work Practice Teacher and as an Associate/Consultant with the Scottish Institute for Residential Child Care, informs his consultancy work in the field of workforce development and his extensive experience as a social work practitioner and manager informs his consultancy in the wider social work agenda.

John is a partner in Positive Approaches Consultancy Ltd and undertakes consultancy work across a range of topics.

Achievements & Experience

• Conducted a major review and service re-design of learning disability services in the North West of England resulting in the provision of innovative community based services designed to meet individual need.

• Managed and developed a major project in Aberdeen providing a wide range of supported accommodation, outreach and day services to people with severe and enduring mental ill health.

• Supported various small mental health support groups to become established in the Aberdeen and surrounding area and successfully supported the development of the service user movement.

• Managed a major residential school for children with special needs, autism and behaviours that were extremely challenging. Supported the school to become internationally recognised as a centre of excellence.

• Supported the development of innovative support and training for staff working in the field of Autism and the development of a range of service delivery models in relation to the “in house” provision of VQ and HNC training.

• Developed a successful training and consultancy business (PACT Ltd) based in Aberdeen.
  

• Throughout career, maintained experience of “hands on” practice as a social worker through volunteering thus remaining in touch with current practice issues.

• Supported the development of social work through involvement in education and as a social work practice teacher and ad hoc lecturer and trainer.
  
  

Employment

In February 2009 John and Barry Richards set up a new company, Positive Approaches Consultancy Ltd, to enable them to focus on their joint consultancy work.

(1) Since January 2006

Director of Positive Approaches, Consultancy and Training Ltd, John has undertaken consultancy for East Lothian, Midlothian and Scottish Borders Councils related to reviewing Workforce Development strategies and providing reports recommending pro-active, best value solutions in relation to meeting the current and future challenges faced by the Councils.
John acts as a consultant to a local charity reviewing practice, service delivery, staff development and training, staff retention and career progression.

Additional experience includes:

• Currently a Social Work Practice Teacher.
• Currently an "ad hoc" lecturer at the Robert Gordon University Aberdeen.
• Written and delivered a variety of training courses within the field of Autism and Challenging Behaviour.
• Delivered training to statutory and voluntary sector organisation in Management of Challenging Behaviour, Autism, Person Centred Planning and Pro-active Practice, Anti Discriminatory Practice and Ethics/Values.

(2) January 1989 – January 2006

Worked for VSA Voluntary Service Aberdeen, in two main roles:

a) Project/Development Manager, St Aubins Project (1989 – 1999)

• Developed a major project providing supported accommodation, outreach and day care for over sixty people with severe and enduring mental ill health.
• Contributed to local and national developments of improved services for people with mental ill health.
• Supported the development of the "user movement" in Aberdeen.

b) Principal, Linn Moor Residential School, Peterculter, Aberdeen (1999-2006)

• Asked to take over as Principal at Linn Moor Residential School following an inspection from HMI Schools. Turned the school around from "failing status" to internationally recognised centre of excellence.
• Managed 210 staff and an annual budget of £3 million.
• Took a lead role in developing and implementing the Linn Moor School workforce development strategy.
• Undertook delivery of training on a variety of issues related to Social Work and Social Care including specialist training in autism and the management of behaviour that was challenging, to support the work of the school.

(3) September 1970 - December 1985

John has worked in a variety of settings in England and Scotland in both the voluntary and statutory sectors. John has managed children's homes and has also managed a range of residential and fieldwork services for Learning Disabilities before moving to Voluntary Service Aberdeen in 1989.

Qualifications

• 2001 The Institute of Applied Behavioural Analysis Los Angeles USA
  Certificate in Applied Behavioural Analysis
• 1996 to 1999 The Robert Gordon University Aberdeen
  Post Graduate Diploma in Community Care
• 1991 to 1994 The Robert Gordon University Aberdeen
  Diploma in Social Work
  Diploma in Higher Education
• 1974 to 1975 The Robert Gordon University Aberdeen
  Certificate in the Residential Care of Children and Young People

Barry holds qualifications in social work and in public sector management. He is registered with the Scottish Social Services Council.

His consultancy work is informed by decades of experience of operational and strategic management of social services in local authority and voluntary sector settings, and by inter-agency roles at local, regional and national levels.

He now uses his knowledge and skills to undertake consultancy and interim management roles and is a partner in Positive Approaches Consultancy Ltd.

Achievements & Experience

• Led the development of Scotland’s first SVQ Centre for social care, supported development of inter-agency infrastructure in the North of Scotland, and led the voluntary sector’s national contribution to education and training and to workforce planning.

• Managed a practice teaching unit and a training section.

• Produced workforce development strategies for local authorities, incorporating a shared services approach; currently supporting implementation.

• Played a leading role in service re-design and development, operational and strategic management, and the establishment of effective learning and development in a voluntary organisation, contributing to an increase in turnover by a multiple of 15.

• Led fieldwork services during a local authority re-organisation, sustaining morale and contributing to a smooth transition to a new structure.

• Led the contributions of over 40 organisations to joint mental health planning processes, developed a range of alternatives to hospital care, and supported the development of the service user movement.
  

• Was a member of Child Protection Committees, contributed to joint planning, managed and re-designed children’s services, and developed innovative new services.

• Co-founded a major learning disability service provider (with local authority & voluntary sector partners), and managed services for adults and children.
  

Active member of bodies including:

• Community Health Partnership (Aberdeen)
• Scottish Social Services Council working groups
• CCETSW Scotland Committee and its Finance & Audit Committee
• TOPSS Scotland and its Workforce Planning Group
• Scottish Office working group
• NOSCO Forum (Chair)
• Partnership Housing Board (now Inspire)
• Family Mediation Grampian (Chair)
• North of Scotland Learning Network (and its predecessors)
• Children's Services joing planning group
• Mental Health Services joing planning group
• NE Scotland Child Protection Committee (and its predecessors), and formerly Highland Region CPC
  
  
  

Employment

(1) Since 2006

• Consultancy and interim management roles including strategy development and implementation, project management, children’s services social work, business planning, support for new charity Chief Executives and acting charity C E O.
• Completed Master of Public Administration degree (with Distinction) during this period, by part-time study.
• Co- Founded Positive Approaches Consultancy Ltd.

(2) January 1986 – September 2006

• Deputy Chief Executive, VSA (Voluntary Service Aberdeen).
• Strategic and operational responsibility for services to children and families and to people affected by mental ill health or by learning disability; responsible too for learning and development and for volunteer-based services. Annual turnover c. £15million.

(3) September 1970 – December 1985

• Worked in local authorities in Scotland and England, with managerial duties from July 1976. Broad operational and strategic experience.

Qualifications

• B.A. (Hons), Philosophy: 1970, St. David’s University College, Wales.
• CQSW & Home Office Letter of Recognition in Child Care; 1973, Keele University, Staffordshire.
• Master of Public Administration (with Distinction); 2007, Aberdeen Business School, The Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen.