The Community Planning Aberdeen Board, chaired by Aberdeen City Council Co Leader Councillor Alex Nicoll, have been updated on Local Outcome Improvement Plan (improvement projects) and the positive outcomes achieved to date and impact on communities across the city.

The quarterly report highlighted that 10 of the multi-agency improvement aims had now been achieved, and the Board approved the following three project end reports recognising that the improvement aims had been achieved and sustained:

• 5.3 - to ensure 100% of schools offer sustainable and equitable access to counselling for those children aged 10 and above who require it by 2022;

• 5.4 - to ensure 100% of children and young people have free access to physical activity which improves mental health

• 9.3 – to Increase by 10% the number of young people (16-17 year olds) who are jointly reported to the Scottish Children's Reporter Administration (SCRA) and Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) who are offered robust alternatives to entering the statutory system by 2022.

Councillor Nicoll said: "I am delighted to see the successful completion of three further projects which have helped improve the lives the mental health, wellbeing and circumstances of children and young people, particularly those who may feel vulnerable."

Two further projects were also approved for initiation, with overall 74 out of the 75 improvement aims now progressing, of which 10 aims had been and achieved and six aims ended with project ends reports approved evidencing sustained improvement.

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As well as the overview of performance and new charters, the Board heard today from the Project Managers of two multi-agency projects which had case studies included in the report. The case studies showed:

• 1.6 - increase the uptake of unclaimed benefits across Aberdeen City by 10% to support people claim the benefits they're entitled to:

– aim achieved with a 54% increase in uptake of unclaimed benefits on average p/w between 12 Mar -31 Jul 22, compared to 1 Dec 21-11 Mar 22.

– Since 1 Dec 2021, 1,419 people have completed the benefit calculator, with 1,253 people having unclaimed benefits identified, to a total value of £222,573.09 p/wa by July 22.

• 2.3 - support 15 care experienced young people (CEYP) progress to employment through public sector funded employability programmes by 2023:

– Overall, 11 CEYP have gained employment by July 2022

– 20 Young People supported through our tailored employability support programme, with 16 being CEYP and 11 living in a priority neighbourhood.

The Board also considered reports on:

• Ending homelessness in Aberdeen – approved the establishment of an Ending Homelessness in Aberdeen Group, to develop, oversee and be accountable for the implementation of the actions required to comply with proposed Prevention of Homelessness legislation;

• 'Keeping #ThePromise' – report evidencing the progress made in year 1 on the delivery of #ThePromise aimed at transforming care children and young people in Scotland by 2030 in line with the independent #ThePromise review undertaken on behalf of the Scottish Government in 2020 has seen milestones such as a significant reduction in exclusions and increasing capacity at the city's Virtual School

• Child Poverty Action –set out the measures that are being taken by partners to tackle and mitigate the effects of child poverty during 2022/23, highlighting the key work delivered since 1 April 2022 such as the provision of over £3m in grant funding to community organisations with a focus on providing support to children and young people.

This includes:

• £1.6m commitment through the Fairer Aberdeen Fund

• £1.2m through revenue grant funding to community groups and associations

• £750k commitment to Leased and Learning Centres across Aberdeen

• £120k commitment through the Common Good Fund 

Councillor Nicoll said: "It was also heartening to learn of significant progress being made in projects helping both the young and the homeless.

"It is clear that, by working in partnership in this way, we can do a great deal to tackle inequality and give people, young and old, opportunities to overcome barriers to achievement and better lives."