Engaging Scottish Local Authorities

Sharing knowledge: building impact

Co-ordinating service provision and improving life chances for children in

severe poverty: A knowledge exchange programme

Engaging Scottish Local Authorities

Sharing knowledge: building impact

Engaging Scottish Local Authorities

Sharing knowledge: building impact

Project Aims• Develop knowledge exchange mechanisms that allow practitioners and service users to

share knowledge and expertise to improve service provision;

• Develop a practitioners’ forum which will bring together professionals from a range of services working together to develop practices of multi-agency and integrated services;

• Give children and families a voice, by engaging them in consultations and other activities on service delivery in their area;

• Develop capacity among practitioners and at grassroots in order to tackle social disadvantage and improve the life chances of children in severe and persistent poverty;

• Gain an understanding of how local community partners work together to achieve better public policy outcomes in the context of Single Outcome Agreements.

Engaging Scottish Local Authorities

Sharing knowledge: building impact

Activities

Engaging Scottish Local Authorities

Sharing knowledge: building impact

Main results to date

• Completed synthesis of research

• Four projects established in 2 nurseries and 2 schools (multi-agency + consultation element)

• Launch and 2 workshops completed

• Placement exchanges- 2 ongoing, 2 starting after summer

Engaging Scottish Local Authorities

Sharing knowledge: building impact

Issues arising for coordination/review

• Loss of staff from all partners (due to early retirement, staff reduction, illness, maternity, job changes)

• Delays in starting up projects and placements

• Attrition of participants in training events

• Change of priority areas and financial cuts

Engaging Scottish Local Authorities

Sharing knowledge: building impact

Acknowledgements

• Parents, children and staff involved

Project team• WD- Mary Berrill, Anne Docherty• GCC- Michele McClung, Lesley Mortimer• STC- Irene Graham, Stefanie Keir• UoS- Daniela Sime, Graham Connelly, Liz Seagraves,

Neil McGarvey, Marion Sheridan