Improvement Service

This case study examines West Lothian Community Planning Partnership's use of a robust evidence base to target resources to specific community safety issues. It outlines how use of data is helping the partnership to better co-ordinate its actions to address specific issues affecting communities in West Lothian, e.g. a reduction in deliberately started fires and vandalism. 

This case study outlines how Scottish Borders Council and NHS Borders are jointly addressing equality and diversity issues thrown up by changing demographics in their region, with particular regard to access to services and inclusion for disabled people, the LGBT community and people for whom English is not their first language.

This case study outlines the steps that community planning partners in the Scottish Borders are taking to support the economy during the recession and help local businesses prepare for recovery.

This case study looks at the establishment of a combined and co-located community safety unit and generic wardens service which brings together the Council's community safety and anti-social behaviour services, a consolidated wardens service and the Safer Communities department of the Borders division of Lothian Borders Police. The unit aims to reduce crime and anti-social behaviour, increase access to domestic abuse support services, increase activities for young people, increase awareness of road and home safety issues, and increase security in the home for the elderly.

This case study looks at the appointment of a Joint Director of Public Health by Scottish Borders Council and the NHS to co-ordinate health improvement across the two organisations. It also looks at the establishment of joint health improvement services across the Council and NHS with contributions from the voluntary sector.

The Scottish Borders Third Sector "A Framework for Development and Action" aims to unite the many voluntary and community groups in the region and explain who they are, what they do and the contribution they make to the area's strategic development priorities as stated in the SOA. This case study describes how it was developed and the value it has brought.

Renfrewshire has a relatively high level of deprivation compared to other local authority areas. This study outlines the formation of an anti-poverty strategy to ensure that the community planning partners are helping people living in poverty and supporting them in finding a route out of poverty.

Orkney Islands Council has formed "Team Stromness" to co-ordinate the activities of the council departments, partner agencies and funders involved in Stromness regeneration projects and economic development (Stromness is the second largest town in the Orkney Islands). This case study outlines the challenges for Stromness, provides an overview of its previously unco-ordinated regneration efforts, and examines how Team Stromness hopes to have a impact on the long-term sustainability of the town.

Employability Orkney has set up supported employment, training and volunteering opportunities within its furniture re-use business, Restart Orkney. This case study describes how the scheme works and the social, environmental and economic benefits for the individuals and communities involved. Two workers in the scheme describe how it has had a positive impact on their employment prospects, health, income and quality of life in general.

Family Connexions was set up to provide support at the earliest opportunity to children and families, not just to those considered vulnerable but also to 'low risk' families to prevent them becoming vulnerable. Based at a nursery centre and covering three towns, the multi-agency team offers tailored support to families, runs parenting groups and offers information on and access to additional services, e.g. adult literacy programmes. This case study looks at how Family Connexions was set up, the partners involved, its funding and the benefits for communities so far.

Getting people into work is the top priority of the North Ayrshire Community Planning Partnership. The Employability Continuum maps the needs of those furthest from the labour market, those moving towards and into employment, and those in work. It provides the framework for employability support in the area. This case study outlines the programme and provides examples of benefits to date.