It has become a tradition for me to use the first SCOAF blog of the year to look at the year ahead. I look forward to writing this at the start of each year, but especially this year.
It has become a tradition for me to use the first SCOAF blog of the year to look at the year ahead. I look forward to writing this at the start of each year, but especially this year. Why? Well, not only does 2020 mark the fifth year of operation for SCOAF but because my term as Ombudsman ends on 31 December 2020, this is my last year as Ombudsman. Therefore, it is a particularly poignant blog post for me.
Although our office only reopened last Thursday following the festive break, we are already focused on the incoming work and the wider strategic issues facing us this year.
As I start work on my Annual Report for 2019, I have reviewed the three-point plan I set out in 2018, looking at what I wanted to focus on for the remainder of my term as Ombudsman. While there is additional work my team and I will do this year, I remain committed to achieving these targets.
We have a new Senior Investigator joining us this month and another hopefully soon after. Our new staff will be a welcome addition, however, we will still need to increase our resource beyond this in order to not only eradicate our backlog but then go on to consistently deliver a high-quality, timely service to complainants.
This year will continue to be full of challenges and opportunities. Still, I am committed to leaving this organisation in a robust position, able to provide the best possible service and meet whatever may be ahead.