The SIP had the following mission statement: ‘To prevent the particular exclusion experienced by young people leaving care in Glasgow through strategic local partnership approaches, which aim to support the transition from care to independence and inclusion’.

The big step was notable for its success in building a strong multi-agency partnership that was able to develop new approaches to delivering services for young people leaving care. It was also able to work in partnership with a range of local organisations outwith the SIP.

The SIP was not designed to be directly involved with service delivery. It set out to influence the policy and practice of its partners and to link into existing agencies which provided services to care leavers. By linking into existing partnerships and frameworks, there was greater opportunity for innovative approaches to become part of the mainstream activities of partners.

The composition of the SIP Board reflected partnership arrangements with a relatively wide range of the key agencies involved. In addition, the representation of young people leaving care on the Board of the partnership was ensured from an early stage.

The partnership structure of the big step has allowed statutory and voluntary agencies working with young adults leaving care to jointly focus solely on the issue of leaving care. This provided a forum where agencies can learn from each other regarding the needs of care leavers and how these impact on a range of service providers.

The big step succeeded in developing partnership structures which were integrated into the existing structures in Glasgow. Partnership working has also joined up planning across organisations. In the main areas – health, homelessness and employment – agencies mainstreamed work developed in partnership with the big step.

Young people, the community, service providers.

Scottish Centre for Regeneration
scr@communitiesscotland.gsi.gov.uk

//2003

case

Urban Policy > Social inclusion & integration > Quality of life

Social services