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About the Improvement Service

Stakeholder Event: Local Authority Commissioners of Advice Services Glasgow, 13 th January 2019 Andrew McGuire, Improvement Service. About the Improvement Service. National improvement body for local government in Scotland Not-for-profit, non-political, local govt owned and controlled

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About the Improvement Service

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  1. Stakeholder Event:Local Authority Commissioners of Advice Services Glasgow, 13th January 2019Andrew McGuire, Improvement Service

  2. About the Improvement Service • National improvement body for local government in Scotland • Not-for-profit, non-political, local govt owned and controlled • Small IS core budget; bulk of funding external and project-specific • Extensive work programme in CPPs / wider partnership context • Principal focus in driving and supporting transformation aimed at improving outcomes, reducing costs, promoting preventative approaches, tackling poverty & inequalities • Close working relationships with Councils, SOLACE, COSLA, wider range of national and local partners • Collaborative, outcomes-focused, client-centred approach

  3. Examples of IS activities / Core areas of focus • Identifying / disseminating good practice • Promoting partnership working and collaboration – local regional, national • Analysis, research, evaluation • Co-ordination of wide range of networks, etc • Performance management & benchmarking • Innovation / Digital • Providing constructive challenge and support • Change Management / Transformation

  4. IS Advice Outcomes Project • Funded by Money Advice Service for past 5 yrs • Overseen by Advisory Board with membership from across Scotland’s key advice sector stakeholders • 3 FTE project staff – plus range of IS in-kind support • Working across all of Scotland • Focus of project has continued to evolve since inception • Current project contract ends 31/3/19 – In discussion with Scot Govt to explore potential future joint working

  5. Common Advice Performance Management Reporting Framework 2017-18 published report – Some Key Facts • Returns submitted by local authorities for most recent full financial year • 94,336 new clients • 51% with a disability / 55% income <£10,000 p.a / 25% were in work • Councils invest significant funding in advice services - £25.8m p.a. • 486 council FTE staff, 386 external FTE, 412 volunteer FTE • ROI - £1: £21 • Key Message: Advice Services are effectively targeting many of the poorest people in Scotland and represent excellent VFM.... • ….But!

  6. Challenges • Ongoing public funding squeeze - pressure for further savings • Highlighted by extent of Advice Services reviews • 8.3% overall reduction in SG funding for LG over past 7 yrs • But effective ‘ringfencing’ has meant certain services disproportionately affected and experiencing much more significant reductions • Wide range of external drivers leading to increased service demand e.g. UC roll-out; Brexit uncertainties impacting economy, future tax take, etc • Significant levels of currently unmet need • Overall funding and provision is overly-complex, patchy, short-termist and fragile • Scale of challenges requires creative thinking / ambitious solutions • Key Message: Despite successes, much more needs to be done!

  7. Opportunities • Significant cross-sectoral commitment to tackling poverty & inequalities • Levy funding now devolved to Scot Govt – opportunity to shape most effective use of resource and join-up across government and others • Strengthen co-ordination across funders • Service transformation opportunities: • Re-design delivery of services around needs of clients • Use of technology to extend reach and efficiencies (currently 60% face-to-face) • Exploring new models of service planning and delivery • Developing evidence base on most effective models • Key Message – There is an opportunity to reshape services in a way that extends reach and enhances impact

  8. Summary • Advice Services are absolutely critical for tackling poverty and inequalities • At their most effective, they can provide a conduit for accessing a wide range of public and third sector services • But Advice Services are under severe pressure • Addressing the Challenges & Opportunities will require all partners to work together to embrace change under a clear vision for future provision and enhancing impact • Developing such a clear vision for the future of Scotland’s advice services will require effective and joined-up leadership from across central and local government, third sector and others who have a contribution to make

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