Child protection agencies welcome official opening of Dundee's Seymour Lodge
A new centre to protect some of the most vulnerable children in Dundee was officially opened this week.
Seymour Lodge as it approached the final stages of construction.
- By Jonathan Watson
- Published in the Courier : 01.02.12
- Published online : 04.02.12 @ 08.43am
Aileen Campbell, minister for children and young people, was at Seymour House, a new £2.65 million project that will provide care for young people in need of assistance.
The building, at the Kings Cross hospital complex, has been operational since September but was officially opened on Tuesday by the minister, who believes that the centre marks a major commitment by the city to the welfare of its vulnerable citizens.
Mrs Campbell said: ''Ensuring fast, effective protection is available to every child and young person at risk is a key priority for this government. It's therefore hugely encouraging to see this kind of facility being launched.
''We all want 'healthy happy bairns.' That is children who are safe, loved, enjoy their childhood and achieve their potential. By investing in facilities like Seymour House, Dundee is showing a clear commitment towards achieving this essential goal by ensuring vulnerable youngsters receive multi-agency support as and when they need it.''
A partnership between Dundee City Council, NHS Tayside and Tayside Police has been behind the project and all three will have a presence at the building.
As well as interview and family rooms, the site has medical forensic facilities to ensure the best care to those who attend.
Council leader Ken Guild welcomed the minister to Seymour House and stated his belief that the site was an investment in the future of the city's youth.
He said: ''This new building is already bringing about ongoing improvements to the services we all provide to children and young people who need protection. I am very impressed by the efforts that all the partners are putting in at this new facility that will ultimately help and protect some of the most vulnerable people in society.''
The opening of Seymour House marks the culmination of an overhaul of child protection services in Dundee. By bringing under one roof all agencies involved in the looking after of vulnerable young people, the transfer of information should become much easier.
Sandy Watson, chairman of NHS Tayside, continued: ''Over the past few years, all the agencies involved in protecting children here in Dundee have undergone a transformation, both in the way they work together and, of the utmost importance, in the way they work to protect the most vulnerable members of our community.
''Their commitment to working more closely together will be so much easier now that we have all the expertise in the one place, making this not only a first class facility for the agencies but a safe place for vulnerable children and young people from across the city.''
Tayside Police Assistant Chief Constable Angela Wilson added: ''I am sure that this facility will be at the cornerstone of child protection in Dundee for years to come.''
10.28am - 04.02.2012 Jim Wallace - Dundee, Scotland Report This
I think Mrs Campbell has to look at better police vetting to ensure better protection for Children, as the recent court case demonstrates, perverts can be working within their midst’s
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