Young Parents Project Wins CoSLA Award
A project that works with partners to improve the life
chances of young parents and their children has won
the Excellent People, Excellent Outcomes Award at
the prestigious CoSLA Excellence Awards in Crieff.
The project also took a silver award in the Tackling
Inequalities and Improving Health category.
The Clackmannanshire Young Parents Project (YPP)
provides practical support tailored to individual
needs so that young parents can develop the skills,
means and confidence to fulfil their own potential
and ensure their children have the best start in life.
A primary aim of the project is to help young parents
stay engaged with the employability process to
prepare for employment, education or training.
The Council works closely in partnership with
NHS Forth Valley on the project, with support also
coming from Forth Valley College, Stirling University and Skills
Development Scotland to help the young people achieve their
full potential. Referrals to the project are received from a range
of sources including health visitors, GPs, schools, social services
and self and peer referral.
Research has shown that younger people who become parents
tend to have poorer health and social outcomes and that these
can be intensified when they become a parent. Young parents
often have limited or no experience of statutory services, and can
feel discouraged from accessing welfare services because they
find the processes confusing or difficult.
YPP uses a key worker approach to provide a single point
of contact, and a friendly non-judgemental face, which is
important in building their confidence in services. The key
worker engages with a network of contacts in partner services
to address the needs of each individual. This can mean support
with issues such as housing, accessing learning and employment
grants, help with money advice and sourcing childcare.
All participants complete a course in paediatric first aid, and
other opportunities include programmes in elementary cooking
skills, food hygiene and confidence and self esteem.
With over 130 young people having registered with the project,
usually for 12 to 24 months, outcomes show strong outcomes
in entering training or employment and achieving qualifications.
The young parents also report significant increases in confidence,
general health and happiness when they leave the project.
Partnership Support Outreach Worker Craig Baird said: “I’m
delighted that the Young Parents Project has received this
national recognition. I’d like to thank everyone who has helped
to make the project the success story that it is. Our outcomes
show that this key worker approach is the best way to make a
positive impact.”
The award was presented by COSLA’s Chief Executive, Sally
Loudon who said: “Local Government is one of Scotland’s largest
employers, with nearly a quarter of a million staff. It is those
people who provide the excellent services that communities rely
on, day in and day out, and who are behind the fantastic projects
that we are celebrating this evening.”
The YPP is supported by the European Social Fund Priority 5 funding
Jennifer’s Leadership Excellence
Housing Operations Manager, Jennifer Queripel, has
been chosen by the Chartered Institute of Housing
Scotland (CIHS) as the 2017 winner of the Excellence in
Leadership Award. The CIH is the professional body for
those working in the housing profession.
Jennifer was selected ahead of nominees from all over Scotland.
The judges, from the Association of Local Authority Chief Officers
(ALACHO) were impressed with the Jennifer’s leadership of the
change management programme that has focussed on going
the extra mile for customers, whilst improving efficiency through
reducing waste. Particularly impressive are the increased levels
of tenant satisfaction expressed in a recent independent survey.
Overall satisfaction with the housing
service now stands at 94%, the
highest of any local authority in
Scotland.
Jennifer said, “I am absolutely
delighted to receive this award
which I regard as the highlight of
my career to date. I would like to
thank my hard working team, and the councillors
who have supported and encouraged me in making changes
to the housing service in recent years. The award really is for
Clackmannanshire Council.”
Grapevine
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