Hanna McCulloch, Programme Manager – Child Poverty and SAVVI, provides an overview of the new SAVVI (Scalable Approach to Vulnerability Via Interoperability) team and how the transformative approach enables councils and their partners to proactively identify and support vulnerable people before they reach crisis point.
The Improvement Service (IS) is delighted to announce that we’ve received funding from the Scottish Government to establish a SAVVI team for Scotland.
SAVVI, which stands for Scalable Approach to Vulnerability Via Interoperability, is a transformative approach that enables councils and their partners to proactively identify and support vulnerable people before they reach crisis point—not just when they’re facing the consequences.
Take child poverty, for example. The SAVVI approach is being used to find ways of reaching families before they face eviction or bankruptcy. Before they are forced to rely on food banks. Before stress and impossible choices take a toll on their mental or physical health.
By intervening earlier, we can not only prevent unnecessary hardship but also help councils use resources more efficiently - delivering support where and when it’s needed most.
What the SAVVI team will do
Scotland’s SAVVI team will consist of:
- A SAVVI coach
- An information governance expert
- A technical expert
This expert team will support councils and their partners in navigating the legal, ethical, and technical challenges of using data to identify those at risk. They’ll provide:
- Practical guidance on data sharing and compliance
- Well established standards, templates, and processes
- Hands-on support to co-design local solutions
Vitally, SAVVI will work collaboratively - bringing together local partners, service delivery experts, data officers, and information governance leads. Because no single organisation or service holds all the data on vulnerability, and none can tackle it alone.
Common barriers SAVVI helps overcome
From my own experience, I’ve seen how SAVVI can help address long-standing frustrations in the public sector. These include:
1. Legal uncertainty around data sharing
Often, discussions about personal data are complex, risk-averse, and even adversarial—pitting service delivery teams against legal advisors. SAVVI brings clarity and consensus to these conversations.
2. Fragmented and inconsistent data
Local partners often hold pieces of a puzzle: councils, DWP, HMRC, Social Security Scotland. But data formats and structures don’t align, making it hard to get a full picture of a household’s situation. SAVVI helps organisations connect the dots.
3. Lack of transparency
Many councils use data in innovative ways—like automating benefit payments—but hesitate to share their methods for fear they may be challenged. SAVVI promotes openness, enabling public bodies to learn from each other and move toward a “once for Scotland” approach.
These challenges extend beyond poverty—affecting how we identify those vulnerable to loneliness, school un-readiness, climate risks, or even pandemics.
SAVVI in action
The IS has already used the SAVVI approach to move towards the identification of families at high risk of poverty and connect them with financial support. In doing so, we uncovered significant legal barriers, which prompted work with the UK Government on a potential amendment to regulations under the Digital Economy Act—a change that could be a game-changer for tackling poverty in Scotland.
Now, with additional funding, the SAVVI team will expand its focus to other areas of vulnerability. Over time these might include, for example, school readiness, mental health challenges or risk from fire or flood.
Our mission is to help local and national partners identify those in need early and develop coordinated, multi-agency responses that make a real difference.
Want to get involved?
If SAVVI interests you, here’s how to learn more:
- Contact: Hanna McCulloch, National Coordinator for Local Action on Child Poverty
- Explore: The SAVVI Playbook for real-world examples
- Watch: SAVVI explainer videos that break down the approach