Members of our new Child Poverty Strategy team – who are settling in nicely to their roles within Education – are calling for colleagues to complete a short questionnaire.
Complete the Child Poverty Strategy Survey
Fill in the Child Poverty Strategy Survey and the team will really appreciate your support. The deadline is Friday 4 April.
The survey is anonymous, and all responses will be kept confidential.
There are five sections, and it should take no longer than 10 minutes to complete.
In September 2023, the Council was successful in its bid to become a Fairer Futures Partnership (FFP) with the Scottish Government.
These partnerships aim to reduce child poverty through public sector reform approaches, and trial small ‘tests of change’ based on local needs.
As a result, our new Child Poverty Strategy team was appointed in November 2024, and started getting to work in January.
The team is made up of Donna Martin (Strategy and Programme Manager), Jenni Blair (Project Manager) and Laura Kayes (Policy and Performance Officer).
Since January, they have been trying to meet with as many colleagues as possible to understand the current child poverty landscape across the region and within the council.
Because the council is a big organisation with thousands of staff, the team is asking colleagues to complete a short survey to help inform their next steps.
For anyone who hasn’t met the team yet, here is a short introduction…
Donna Martin (Strategy and Programme Manager) shares:
“While I am a new council employee, I live in Saltcoats and have worked alongside colleagues within the council and the Health and Social Care Partnership while being part of third sector organisations and the Scottish Government.
“I’m passionate about children’s rights and social justice and have been so impressed learning about all the existing work that is happening here in North Ayrshire to make a difference in the lives of our local children, young people and families.
“As a single mum to three teenagers, I love the time we get together exploring Scotland, visiting European cities and walking our Chocolate Labrador on the beach – mainly Ardrossan South Beach and Seamill.
“I also support the work of Samaritan’s Scotland on their Lived Experience Advisory Group.”
“I am passionate about children’s rights and social justice and have been so impressed learning about all the existing work that is happening in North Ayrshire to make a difference in the lives of our local children, young people and families.”Donna Martin, Strategy and Performance Manager
Jenni Blair (Project Manager) in the team has worked with the council for more than six years, and previously had a role in procurement.
She said: “When I first joined the council, I was the procurement lead for Education with a particular focus on the Pupil Equity Funding, but my role changed slightly and I moved to covering all categories of spend through the council.
“I’ve been the procurement lead for various high value and strategic procurements such as the Ardrossan North Shore development and housing developments, so it’s really exciting to be able to use my project management skills for a new challenge.
“Outside of work I like going to the gym and running, and I play bass and enjoy reading. I’m also learning Gaelic, so ‘Latha math’ – good day – to anyone else who is also learning.”
“Now that I am part of the Child Poverty Strategy team, I am really excited to be able to use my project management skills for a new challenge.”Jenni Blair, Project Manager
Laura Kayes (Policy and Performance Officer) has joined the Council after spending 15 years working in education.
She said: “At first, I was a music teacher before moving into universities delivering teacher training and conducting research around poverty and class-based bias in education policy, and its interpretation.
“I’ve been blown away by the warm welcome from everyone I’ve met across the council and our partners, and I’m looking forward to working with everyone.
“In my free time I can be found walking my two dogs, playing the fiddle in various pub sessions and at trad music festivals, bouldering – or combining all three galivanting around Scotland in my 24-year-old campervan.”
“At first, I was a music teacher before moving into universities delivering teacher training and conducting research around poverty and class-based bias in education policy, and its interpretation. I’ve been blown away by the warm welcome from everyone I’ve met across the council and our partners, and I’m looking forward to working with everyone.”Laura Kayes, Policy and Performance Officer
Are you part of a new team in the council? Perhaps you have an exciting project launch or initiative that you would like to share? If so, get in touch at communications@north-ayrshire.gov.uk for your chance to be featured next time.