Islington Play CEO

So, just been interviewed for BBC South East about my thoughts about the train I am on being taken over by a different company last night. I said I thought the rail network should be nationalised and that I couldn't see any reason why any profit made goes to individuals and not to make lives better. I also mentioned that there should be more than four coaches on the 9am. Wonder which bit they will use.....(FYI they didn't use the nationalising bit).

 

This week we are interviewing administrators I actually feel sorry for them as they already did a really difficult IT test but I guess it's better for them to know what they are getting into and being sat opposite S and me should give them a pretty good idea. We are adding the question 'where do you see yourself in five years time’.... Not sure what I would say....

 

One of the administrator candidates asked me why I liked working at IPA - a brave and interesting choice of question (most people ask about holidays). I said that the freedom to change and adapt things to local need, to instigate new ways of working and being able to follow up ideas quickly is one of the payoffs of being in the voluntary sector as well as in a smallish organisation. It made me think about how we are dependant on people feeling responsibility for the service as a whole and wanting deeply to see the best for children. This may mean us all doing that little bit more....

There is a new bit in our business plan about staff agreeing to do that. There will be further cuts to services in Islington and we need to be ready to move fast if necessary. With all the caring and talented people we have on board I know we can make a difference everyday.

Making a difference to a child's life is priceless.

 

Stayed late this week on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday for board meetings. Basically it means I don't see the children when I get home. Tuesday was actually the farewell do of a (very) long serving council officer. It was a bit like a wedding and a bit like a wake (although not so sad....obviously). Lots of people talked about how they will miss him and his many achievements, it was moving. I am worried that the loss of Thanos Morphitis will be felt across the play sector in Islington as he has been a staunch supporter of open access, undirected, free play for children and he fully understood the difference in need and therefore in services to serve those needs between education and play. A distinction that I very much hope Islington's approach to early intervention and prevention will continue to recognise.