Papers of David Affleck

Social Worker

Reference codes, titles and dates of Archive

Reference Code: GB1847 DC10 DA
Title: Papers of David Affleck
Date of Creation of material: 1975-1993
Level of description: Fonds
Extent: 1.5 metres

Biographical history

Name of Creator: David Affleck.
Biographical history: David Affleck was born in Leven in Fife, Scotland on the 4th April 1940. At the age of twelve, a teacher spotted him as having a musical ability and his secondary school curriculum was then based on the expectation he would eventually study music. This plan was later rejected and he entered the Civil Service in 1956 to give him time to consider other options. While there he developed skills in people management and leadership, with a particular interest in getting work groups to take part in collaborative activity. In 1966 he trained for professional social work after having been involved in voluntary youth work and attending an international seminar in Germany in 1958 (which was to be a major experience in shaping his future). Following organisational change in social work services in 1969, it was his management experience and a zeal for creative and strategic planning which was in demand and rapid promotion followed.

In his career as a manager of Social Work Services, he served as convenor on Scottish committees dealing with service development and planning with regard to mental health, learning disability, and criminal justice, over a nine-year period. He was a member of the Executive of the Association of Directors of Social Work for slightly longer. He held social work responsibilities in Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire, and Lothian Region. On two occasions he represented Scottish social work departments within the Council of Europe in relation to young offenders policy. His professional career was marked for his success in delivering interagency strategies and working with voluntary and community organisations, many of which he helped to establish with support from his management team. Getting grass roots activities to relate to operational collaboration and strategic planning between agencies was an approach he both advocated and delivered.

In 1996, he retired from professional social work, and has since pursued interests in horticulture, history and music. His long standing interest in how groups and communities function, and experience in assessing social history, found an outlet in a number of research projects. Key examples are his research on James Balfour of Whittinghame, Pittenweem, Scotland between 1800 and 1855, and the life of James Simpson, the Pittenweem Town Clerk between 1821 and 1851, (from which Pittenweem Arts Festival commissioned a play in 2004). Other research on the early Auchinlecks and the contribution of the Jameson network to Scotland's heritage are examples of his retirement activities as a social historian with an interest in community and family networks. All these studies have both a national and a local relevance which is a pattern carried over from his earlier career. He continues to play an active part in his local community, where in 2004, he was Secretary of the History Society, President of both the Horticultural Society and Curling Club and organist of the local Kirk.
Archival history: Retained by David Affleck.
Immediate source of acquisition: David Affleck, November 2003.

What is in the Archive

Scope and Content abstract: This archive holds various social work related papers in a number of areas relating mainly to the Lothian / East Lothian, Scotland area. It also holds supporting documentation and publications in relevant areas –

Annual hearing reports for Lothian regions, 1975-
Children’s hearings policy planning, 1986-1989
Discipline in schools – Lothian region
Discipline in Scottish schools
Joint Links Committee on Housing and Social Work, 1978-1988
Papers on the review of intermediate treatment in Scotland
Report on residential care of children in Lothian
Services for learning disability, 1977, 1986-1990
Services to children
Services to the elderly in East Lothian
Services for the physically handicapped in Prestonpans, Scotland
Services to under fives, 1984
Young offenders policy paper
Youth strategy, 1983, 1985-1989
Youth strategy conference papers, 1993

Appraisal, Destruction and Scheduling Information: This material has been appraised in line with standard GB 1847 procedures.
Accrual: None expected.
System of Arrangement: The collection is awaiting arrangement.

Getting & using the Archive

Conditions Governing Access: Open by arrangement with the Archivist.
Copyright/Conditions Governing Reproduction: Applications for permission to quote should be sent to the University Archivist. Reproduction subject to usual conditions: educational use and condition of documents.
Language of Material: English.
Physical Characteristics: None which affect the use of this material.
Finding Aids: Handlist to folder level.

Other collections of similar subject matter

Location of Originals: This material is original.
Existence of Copies: No known copies.
Related units of description: Part of Glasgow Caledonian University Research Collections -