The 'go to' organisation for Local Government improvement in Scotland

The Place and Wellbeing Outcomes, developed by the Place and Wellbeing Collaborative, are a consistent and comprehensive set of outcomes for every place to enable wellbeing. The Place and Wellbeing Outcome Indicators are a collated set of nationally available data sources that can be measured over time to assess the delivery of the Place and Wellbeing Outcomes locally. You can find the core set of indicators in this spreadsheet.

The Place and Wellbeing Outcome Indicators provide a starting point for evidence gathering, bringing together several national data sources in one place. Users are encouraged to supplement the Place and Wellbeing Outcome Indicators with local data and use both to continue to measure and work towards achieving the Place and Wellbeing Outcomes over time. Additional qualitative information, such as through use of the Place Standard Tool, are also important in understanding how places support health and wellbeing.

The Place and Wellbeing Outcomes support all sectors to focus decision making and implementation on a common set of evidenced features.  Monitoring the Outcomes by using these Indicators requires a joined-up approach to place. It is important that all sectors assess and monitor how their decisions, plans, and proposals prioritise the Place and Wellbeing Outcomes. Work continues to develop and expand these Indicators as we learn how they are being applied in local contexts across Scotland.

Criteria to consider

With a focus on meeting local needs, potential indicators should meet the following criteria to determine whether to use as relevant indicators:

Important Aspect Captured: the Indicators should capture the most important aspect of the Place and Wellbeing Outcome it is related to.

Influence: the Indicator should measure something that local action influences.

Ideal Proxy: the Indicator available is a good proxy for what you ideally would like to measure.

Understandable: it should be easy for non-specialists to be able to understand the Indicator and interpret results.

Valid: the Indicator should accurately measure the thing it claims to measure.

Availability: data is or could be available for the Indicator

Geography: the Indicator should be available at the right level of geography (this will vary depending on indicator). ac

Time: the Indicator can change over time, and data is available to measure the change over time.

Inequalities: where possible, Indicators should capture inequalities issues.

Climate: where possible, Indicators should take account of climate impact.

If you are looking to take a place-based approach, or if you want to know more about the Place and Wellbeing Outcomes, please get in touch at PlaceandWellbeing@improvementservice.org.uk, or follow us on X @PlaceNetworkSco to keep up to date with all of our latest news.