Aberdeen’s chief social worker is leaving the city for a post in Edinburgh.
The city council have confirmed that Bernadette Oxley, the head of children’s and family services, will be leaving the authority.
Her announcement comes just a month after it emerged Aberdeen City Health and Social Care Partnership’s (ACHSCP) head of joint operations Tom Cowan would follow former chief officer Judith Proctor out the exit door.
Both are also set to take positions in the capital.
A council spokesman said: “We can confirm Bernadette Oxley is moving on from her role as chief officer for integrated children’s and family services after three years with Aberdeen City Council to take a new post as head of children’s services, communities and families with City of Edinburgh Council. The Edinburgh role and promoted post represents a career progression for Bernadette.”
There has been an exodus of senior staff from Aberdeen in recent years, with the council losing multiple heads of service and directors.
Last night unions and opposition councillors said the ongoing restructure programme within Marischal College was to blame.
But local authority chiefs rubbished the suggestion.
David Cameron, opposition SNP spokesman for staff governance, said: “The political turmoil which has engulfed the council for so long, coupled with a clear failure to work collaboratively with the public, has been deeply damaging and few would blame officers for seeking new opportunities.”
Tommy Campbell, regional rep for the Unite union, said the departure was “not a good reflection” on the restructure and added: “Stress levels are very high and morale is very low”
