She spoke as she marked Aberlour's 150th anniversary
There must be “more collaboration and less competition” between thepublic, private and third sectors in Scotland is child poverty is to be tackled, the outgoing chief executive of a major children’s charity has said.
SallyAnn Kelly called for more joint working among charities, councils, companies and government, as she marked Aberlour’s 150th anniversary.
Kelly, who will stand down later this year to be replaced by Justina Murray, said: “We can take pride in the charity’s achievements since 1875 while having huge frustration that there is still so much to be done.
“The poverty risking children and their futures 150 years ago is doing exactly the same damage today.
“Any improvements have been incremental and that has to pose serious questions for all of us working to support these children and their families.
“We cannot keep doing the same things day after day, year after year, and expect different outcomes.”
Calling for more collaboration between sectors, she told The Herald: “Of course, we must deal with the immediate crises today but it is tomorrow that matters most," she said.
“To give families stability in the long-term, to make changes that stick, means helping families live on an adequate income, reduce the stress in their homes and remove the chaos that can follow.
“That is when the education and health outcomes start improving and real change becomes embedded.
“If what we are doing is not delivering that, we must do things differently.
“It is not just about money but is absolutely about ensuring every pound spent is spent with maximum effect.
“We are spending too much time, energy and resource on managing not ending poverty, on keeping crisis from the door of one family today and tomorrow but not preventing its return.
“We must be more flexible and less territorial. We need more collaboration and less competition.
“We must break barriers between local and national government, charities and health boards and start exchanging our best ideas, best practice and best people back and forth.”
