Agenda Document Pack - Wellbeing and Tackling Poverty Committee - 01/05/2026
North Lanarkshire Council · 1 May 2026
Back to Wellbeing and Tackling Poverty Committee — 1 May 2026 and its agenda
Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.
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22 April 2026. Members of the Wellbeing and Tackling Poverty Committee Chief Executive’s Office Rachel Blair Chief Officer (Legal, Democratic and Strategy) Civic Centre, Windmillhill Street, Motherwell ML1 1AB www.northlanarkshire.gov.uk Notice is given that a Meeting of the Wellbeing and Tackling Poverty Committee is to be held in the Council Chamber, Civic Centre, Windmillhill Street, Motherwell, ML1 1AB on Friday, 01 May 2026 at 10:00 AM which you are requested to attend. The agenda of business is attached. Rachel Blair Chief Officer (Legal, Democratic and Strategy) Members : Clerk Name: Karen Swan Clerk Telephone: 07919 730272 Clerk Email: committee@northlan.gov.uk C Costello, K Harmon, C Barclay, B Baudo, H Brannan-McVey, G Currie, F Fotheringham, W Goldie, H Gray, T Johnston, J Jones, P Kelly, J Keltie, A Khan, J Leckie, A McCrory, L Mitchell, L Nolan, P Patton, D Robb, L Stubbs, C Williams. Page 1 of 116
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Agenda 1 Declarations of Interest In Terms of the Ethical Standards In Public Life Etc. (Scotland) Act 2000 Operational 2 Towards a Fairer North Lanarkshire – Tackling Poverty Strategy 2023 – 2026 Submit report by Chief Social Work Officer (Education, Families, Justice & Integrated Practice) seeking approval of the outcomes of the 'Towards a Fairer North Lanarkshire' Tackling Poverty Action Plan. 5 - 90 3 Implementation of the National Trauma Framework in North Lanarkshire Submit report by Chief Social Work Officer (Education and Families, Justice and Integrated Practice) seeking approval of the approach to the implementation of Trauma Informed Practice across the Council. 91 - 104 4 Revised Equality and Diversity Policy Submit report by Chief Officer (People Resources) seeking approval of the updated Equality and Diversity Policy 105 - 116 Page 3 of 116
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North Lanarkshire Council Report Wellbeing and Tackling Poverty Committee Does this report require to be approved? ☒ Yes ☐ No Ref AG/JC Date 01/05/26 Towards a Fairer North Lanarkshire – Tackling Poverty Strategy 2023 – 2026 – Final Report From Alison Gordon, Chief Social Work Officer (Education, Families, Justice & Integrated Practice) E-mail gordonal@northlan.gov.uk Executive Summary The ‘Towards a Fairer North Lanarkshire’ Tackling Poverty Strategy 2023-2026 and its associated Action Plan was approved at the Policy and Strategy Committee Meeting on 28th September 2023. The intent behind the Towards a Fairer North Lanarkshire, North Lanarkshire’s Tackling Poverty Strategy, was to position the related outcome driven work as key to the successful delivery of the Plan for North Lanarkshire, reflecting the drive to secure and sustain inclusive growth and to reduce poverty and associated inequalities impacting on North Lanarkshire’s communities. This final report on delivery of the Strategy and supporting Action Plan provides an overview of progress made over this period, with key highlights including: • Child poverty levels reduced from 26.6% to 24.9%, demonstrating meaningful improvement while highlighting the continuing need for targeted action. • Over £171.9m in additional income generated for residents through benefits maximisation and commissioned advice services. • Over 520 parents supported to secure employment alongside 138 moving into self‑employment. • Cost‑of‑living assistance, including fuel‑crisis payments and the distribution of more than 3.5 million period products Looking ahead to the 2026–31 Strategy, the Council will seek to build on this and to deepen its whole‑family approach, strengthen early‑intervention pathways, and enhance integration across services to deliver more responsive, preventative and sustainable support for residents informed also by insights from over 20K of our young people who have participated in our ‘Three Questions’ engagement within our schools. Recommendations It is recommended that the Committee: (1) Approve the outcomes of the ‘Towards a Fairer North Lanarkshire’ Tackling Poverty Strategy and its associated Action Plan as set out in Appendix 1. (2) Note that the report will be submitted to the North Lanarkshire Partnership Strategic Leadership Board for consideration. Item 2 Page 5 of 116
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1. Background 1.1 The ‘Towards a Fairer North Lanarkshire’ Tackling Poverty Strategy 2023-2026 and its associated Action Plan was approved at the Policy and Strategy Committee Meeting on 28th September 2023. In view of the clear link between child poverty and wider drivers of poverty across our communities the strategy encompassed the statutory requirement to prepare and publish an annual Local Child Poverty Action Report for North Lanarkshire. 1.2 The intent behind the Towards a Fairer North Lanarkshire, North Lanarkshire’s Tackling Poverty Strategy, was to position the related outcome driven work as key to the successful delivery of the Plan for North Lanarkshire, reflecting the drive to secure and sustain inclusive growth and to reduce poverty and associated inequalities impacting on North Lanarkshire’s communities. 1.3 This holistic and integrated approach is fundamental and whilst maintaining strong links with other elements of the Council’s Programme of Work, Tackling Poverty is embedded as a core strand of the Resilient People Programme, whose principal aim is to deliver whole family support locally, when families need it, in a way that is consistent with the Promise Principles and The Tackling Poverty Strategy, working with partners, to provide an earlier and more effective response to need. More specifically this includes promoting the strengths and skills of individuals and families, increasing economic activity, and providing practical and emotional support, integrating this support with the roll out of town and community hubs to maximise opportunities for community-led and strengths-based approaches. 1.4 Whilst the Tackling Poverty Officers Action Group (TPOAG) have overseen the delivery of the Tackling Poverty Strategy (Action Plan), the Resilient People Programme Board have had oversight of linked programme deliverables in line with wider programme governance arrangements. 1.5 Updates on the achievements, challenges and changes of the Action Plan and the Four Tackling Poverty drivers have been submitted on an annual basis to the Wellbeing and Tackling Poverty Committee throughout the lifespan of the Tackling Poverty Strategy. 1.6 This report is the final report of the ‘Towards a Fairer North Lanarkshire’ Tackling Poverty Strategy (Action Plan) 2023 to 2026. 2. Report 2.1 The Towards a Fairer North Lanarkshire - Tackling Poverty Strategy 2023 to 2026, was a key component of the Programme of Work and a key contributor to ensuring that our residents are offered opportunities, support, advice, and information. The Strategy aspired to embody a collaborative approach to maximise effective action building on achievements to date. As outlined above, incorporating the Tackling The Plan for North Lanarkshire Priority All priorities Ambition statement All ambition statements Programme of Work Resilient People Page 6 of 116
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Poverty Strategy within the Resilient People programme of work recognises the importance of a holistic approach reflected also in the addition of holistic support within the national framework set by Scottish Government second Child Poverty Delivery Plan Best Start, Bright Futures and that often the most direct, efficient and effective way of helping families is to provide responsive financial support and economic opportunities to achieve lasting change. The Strategy reflected this in being structured around the four key drivers of: - • Increasing income via employment; and • Reducing the cost of living; and • Maximising income via social security benefits; and • Holistic Supports. 2.2 The report highlights some of the Actions under each Driver and the Action Plan Appendix 1 – sets out the baseline and outcomes for each year of the Tackling Poverty Strategy, with Appendix 2 providing a more detailed Power Point Presentation on each Tackling Poverty Driver. Summary of Key Achievement 2.3 Amongst the many achievements throughout the lifespan of the 2023 to 2026, Tackling Poverty Strategy include: 2.3.1 We saw a reduction in the proportion of children in poverty – from 26.6% to 24.9%. Nonetheless one in four children in North Lanarkshire remain living in poverty which is higher than the national average of one in five children. 2.3.2 The Tackling Poverty Team in partnership with other Council Services generated over £148,429,009m in additional benefit income for residents of North Lanarkshire during this 3-year period This together with the £23,483,391m generated via the Council’s External Commissioning Advice Services (Citizens Advice Bureaux), means that £171,912,400m has been generated through the benefits system which is an increase of 15.8% from the 2020 to 2023 figure. 2.3.3 The numbers of parents supported into employment over the lifetime of the strategy totalled 520 plus 138 into self-employment. In addition, many more parents have engaged with employability support, have increased skills and confidence and as a result are further in their employability journey. 2.3.4 The Tackling Poverty Team launched ‘The Three Questions’ engagement a consultation exercise with both primary and secondary schools in 2024. The three questions; “how is the cost of living affecting you”, “how is the cost-of-living affecting others in the community” and “what would you like the council to do to help” – gave us a real insight into how poverty and inequality is/was affecting our children and young people. The response informs our Tackling Poverty Action Plan and allows us to shape our response to Child Poverty in our communities. The questions have now been asked in all 118-mainstream school in North Lanarkshire, with 3550 pupils taking part with 20,036 responses received. 2.3.5 Uptake of Free Bus Travel for under 22s has continued to improve since it was implemented by Scottish Government in Jan 2022 when 67% of eligible young people took up the offer. 79% of eligible young people in North Lanarkshire now take up their free travel entitlement (matching the national average take up rate). Excellent Page 7 of 116
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local networks have been developed by Community Learning & Development to ensure all children and young people can access free travel. Income from Employment 2.4 Driving up income from employment remains one of the mechanisms in North Lanarkshire which offers real opportunities to support unemployed and underemployed residents out of poverty. 2.5 The Income from Employment Tackling Poverty Driver had 10 Actions and throughout the lifespan of the strategy, all of the Actions seen increases of outcomes during 2023 to 2026, some of which are highlighted below: Action 3 – Working for Families (WFF) 2.5.1 Working for Families supports unemployed and low-income parents, with a particular focus on the six priority groups - lone parent families, minority ethnic families, families with a disabled person, families with a mother aged 25 or under, families with a baby, families with three or more children. 2.5.2 Significant numbers of parents have gained employment and importantly others who may be far removed from the jobs market have gained confidence, skills, training and are now nearer entering and sustaining employment. 2.5.3 The numbers of parents supported into employment over the lifetime of the strategy totalled 520 plus 138 into self-employment. In addition, many more parents have engaged with employability support, have increased skills and confidence and as a result are further in their employability journey. Action 9 - Entrepreneurship 2.5.4 Support for any individuals seeking to enter employment and/or grow or sustain a business. This action was added to the action plan following discussions at the TPOAG in January 2024. It will capture the work being carried out with those who are currently economically inactive, to encourage entrepreneurship, self-employment and business set up. 2.5.5 From January 2024 - December 2024 Lanarkshire Business Gateway dealt with 798 pre-start enquiries and 217 Businesses start-ups resulted from these. In 2025/26 targets are 1,000 enquiries, 325 starts and 50 new business clients supported. 2.5.6 The Business Gateway have renewed their focus and take up from SIMD priority areas and from underrepresented groups including Women, Black and Minority Ethnic people and young people within Schools and Colleges. 2.5.7 There has been a specific focus on women into business to tackle the comparatively low number of women who are self-employed in North Lanarkshire. The HIVE is an innovative way to target practical business support directly to women. In purposely adapted surroundings women can book desk space and therapy rooms and can tap into expert help and support on hand including expert one-to-one mentoring and coaching. HIVE achievements in the first two years of business; 549 women registered on the HIVE platform, 77 female focussed business events, 421 female event attendees, 46 women accessed 1-2-1 mentoring and coaching, and 40 females led startup businesses created with HIVE support. Page 8 of 116
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2.5.8 Business Enterprise together with Routes to Work have introduced a new Routes to self-employment pilot to provide a 2-week course into self-employment. The pilot had 8 registrations and 8 completions. 3 have already started trading and a further 3 are working towards starting their business. Case study 2.5.9 A newly qualified dog groomer reached out to her local Business Gateway team after qualifying and has been supported throughout her start-up journey by a business adviser, who has provided expert guidance across business planning, funding and financial advice. 2.5.10 Through Business Gateway a business grant of £2,500 was awarded from North Lanarkshire Council’s Start Up Fund. The vital funding has been crucial to help her kick start her business, enabling her to buy all the necessary equipment to start her grooming service on the best possible foot. 2.5.11 “Business Gateway’s support and guidance have made such a difference in getting to where I am today. Ailsa has been there to support and guide me through every step of the way and has always been on hand to provide advice when I needed it. I really can’t thank her enough”. Local business owner helped by Business Gateway Action 5 - Supported Enterprise 2.5.12 Targeted support for people with disabilities or other significant barriers to help them secure fair and sustained work. The Supported Enterprise Service offers training development and employment opportunities to support disabled people to progress towards meaningful work. It’s impact on the community is significant, providing person centred support and holistic support that enables people to work towards their goals and aspirations of securing sustainable employment. 2.5.13 Supported Enterprise is a long-standing service with a proven track record in across their mainstream service for those aged 16-67 and also a range of projects which focus on supporting younger disabled adults and care experience young people as they prepare for employment. No Limits is designed for senior phased pupils leaving ASN education and offers a nine-month paid placement to support their transition to work. Project Search delivered in partnership with NLC, NCL and NHS Lanarkshire provides a transition to work Programme for individuals with a learning disability and autism. Roots opportunities for growth offers 9 months paid placement for care experienced young people to learn the transferable skills required to gain meaningful work. 2.5.14 In 2025-26 Supported Employment Service supported 273 people on the 5-stage employment model, with 210 people receiving various levels of work support. 64 people in the job finding phase. Supported Employment are currently working with over 242 clients with 78 entering and employment. 2.5.15 All projects continue to perform well, and year on year continue to meet an increase in demand. A key lesson learned is early engagement with families is vital to the success of the project. Collaborating with schools, council service and welfare rights officers is essential to ensure that families receive the support they need to maximise their income and to maintain a collaborative approach. This collaborative holistic approach will be carried forward into the new Strategy. Page 9 of 116
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Reduce the Cost of Living 2.6 With the Cost of Living continuing to impact people, the Council and the local economy there was much work to do in reducing the cost of living but with a clear action plan we have managed reduce the impact of the Cost-of-Living Crisis on the people of North Lanarkshire and in turn, made a good start in creating financial resilience within our communities. 2.7 The Income from Reduce the Cost-of-Living Tackling Poverty Driver had 23 Actions and throughout the lifespan of the strategy, many of the Actions seen increases of outcomes during 2023 to 2026, with others requiring further development, some of which are highlighted below: Action 6 – Fuel Poverty 2.7.1 Fuel poverty remains a significant issue in North Lanarkshire, with 32% of households affected and rates rising to 61% among social-housing tenants, underscoring the need for continued targeted support and energy-efficiency interventions 2.7.2 Over the lifetime of the Strategy the nature of this action has changed considerably. Initially the action centred around North Lanarkshire Energy Advice Project (NLEAS). UK Shared Prosperity Funded and delivered by Wise Group, NLEAS provided energy advice for residents. This involved energy mentoring to the most vulnerable groups including those in fuel crisis. Service users received advice and advocacy to encourage behavioural changes in fuel usage and reducing energy costs. NLEAS was funded for an initial 14-month period with a further 12- month extension coming to an end in March 2025 throughout the duration of NLEAS, 217 residents were assisted with specialist energy advice and support. 2.7.3 The Tackling Poverty Officers Action Group (TPOAG) recognised that a wider approach to Fuel Poverty was needed, and the action was therefore expanded to incorporate work carried out by partners including Citizens Advice Bureaux (CAB) in relation to Fuel Poverty. 2.7.4 The CAB network in North Lanarkshire run 3 Energy focussed projects designed to help vulnerable clients with Advice, education and support in dealing with fuel debt, understanding billing and energy efficiency. A holistic approach ensures maximisation of income and applications for other help available. CAB Energy Projects 2024- 25 2025-26 No of residents assisted 3,339 3,394 New Energy debt assisted £750,660 £709,598 Debt written off £12,007 £2,724 Income Generated £310,613 £370,448 2.7.5 Residents experiencing Fuel Crisis were assisted by Tackling Poverty Team using a Cash First Approach. A Cash First Project Funded by Scottish Government and topped up with additional funding from the Council was hosted by Tackling Poverty Team and assisted with both Food and Fuel Crisis. Those in crisis were assisted to Page 10 of 116
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access help from Scottish Welfare Fund but could also be paid Fuel Crisis Payments to alleviate immediate crisis. In total the Cash First project made 1,359 Fuel Crisis payments totalling £41,944 to vulnerable residents across North Lanarkshire. This project was however temporary, and funding ended in November 2025. In addition to the sums paid to residents an additional amount of £3,343,885m was generated for residents through income maximisation. There are an additional three actions related to Fuel Poverty through improved energy efficiency detailed within the Cost-of-living action plan. Action 16 - Free Transport for under 22s 2.7.6 The Young persons Free Bus Travel Scheme increases access to opportunities in leisure, training and employment. 2.7.7 Uptake of Free Bus Travel for under 22s has continued to improve since it was implemented by Scottish Government in Jan 2022 when 67% of eligible young people took up the offer. 79% of eligible young people in North Lanarkshire now take up their free travel entitlement (matching the national average take up rate). Excellent local networks have been developed by Community Learning & Development to ensure all children and young people can access free travel. The application has been streamlined with applicants also able to gain assistance to make a claim if required. Targeted Social Media communications campaigns have been particularly successful in reaching young people. Action 19 - Address Period Poverty 2.7.8 The costs of managing periods can be prohibitive, especially for families facing already difficult decisions about money. Provision of Free Period Products ensures that no woman or girl has to miss out on opportunities due to anxiety of coping without period products. 2.7.9 The total of period products distributed over the lifetime of the strategy is 3,596,026. 2.7.10 The number of distribution sites now exceeds 180 education establishments and 100 NLC, Community and Voluntary Sector and NHS sites including health centres and hospitals. 2.7.11 The Marketing strategy has sought reach across all age groups but also focussed on young women and girls, with videos on TikTok proving to be particularly successful in engaging this group. Face to Face events including Period Dignity Week in February 2025 raised awareness of Period Dignity and helped reduce stigma around the subject. This took place over 12 venues in 9 localities, hosted information stalls and handed out period products. On average the attendance at events was 80-100 people with over 1,000 bags of products distributed over the week. Period Dignity week will take place again this year. Action 8 – Debt Advice 2.7.12 Debt can be caused by a range of issues including changes of circumstance out with the persons control and is significantly impacted by the increased cost of living. Access to effective debt advice and support to manage financial issues is crucial for all residents and can give control back to the person, bring financial gains and improve mental health and stress levels. Unfortunately, debt advice is often not accessed until crisis point is reached. Page 11 of 116
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2.7.13 Across the lifetime of the Strategy the Tackling Poverty Team received 6,087 referrals for debt advice, and the total debt dealt with was £15,096,358m. The Citizens Advice Network in North Lanarkshire dealt with 10, 271 referrals and a total of £10,327,051m of debt over the 3-year period from 2023-26 2.7.14 There are still many concerns for those experiencing worrying debt situations. Those with the lowest incomes feel the ever-increasing cost of living more severely. Going forward the Tackling Poverty Team will continue to offer advice and support to all residents but will also concentrate on North Lanarkshire Council tenants. Each housing locality team has been allocated a specific Debt Adviser who is based one day per week within the locality and respective rents team. An early intervention approach with rent arrears offering specialist debt advice solutions to tenants as early in the rent arrears recovery process as possible. Briefings were delivered to all housing localities and Central Rents team on this approach and referrals encouraged from all frontline housing staff. Teams were briefed on exactly what the Tackling Poverty Team can do to assist tenants both to prioritise and pay their rent but also to find solutions for other debts they may have. 2.7.15 We know that tenants in the private rented sector are more likely to experience poverty. Tackling Poverty Team will build on Housing’s existing links with private landlords to establish referral routes into the team for both Debt advice and income maximisation. Action 4 - Increase uptake of education maintenance allowance (EMA). 2.7.16 This action was noted as amber within the Strategy action plan as the number of applications has dropped by 12% since 2023 (1,537 claims) to 1,348 in 2025-26. The downturn in claims is likely due to the qualification threshold being unchanged in the last few years resulting in fewer people applying based on self – assessment of their eligibility. 2.7.17 The percentage of claims resulting in an award made has also decreased from 61.41% in 2023/24 to 57.10% 2024/25. The latest figures reported for 2025-26 show 745 Awards Approved and 252 Rejected Applications. 2.7.18 However, with 351 Decisions Pending it is not yet possible to calculate the percentage success rate until after the application window closes. Applications are pending as they are awaiting submission of evidence from the applicants. The high numbers of claims initiated but with required supporting evidence then not supplied may indicate that there is a need for more concise messaging and communication, in order that applicants have a clear indication of the financial thresholds for qualification. 2.7.19 Education and Families EMA processing and decision making by the Service is circa 100% accurate as verified by the Scottish Government. The team also send regular reminders to all applicants across the academic year to submit the required information. 2.7.20 The Tackling Poverty Team is also in early discussions with Legal Services and Department of Work and Pensions regarding a possible change of use around data which could enable the Tackling Poverty Team to use data held within Revenues and Benefits with an agreed legal gateway for the Tackling Poverty Team to access all data for NLC administered benefits. Page 12 of 116
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Action 20 - Support People to stop smoking to reduce outgoings 2.7.21 This action was targeted specifically to pregnant women and families and was noted as amber on the Strategy action plan due to the low number of quit attempts within this group. 2.7.22 There were 6, 12 week quit attempts achieved in quarters 1&2 of 2025/26. Published and validated data for April 2025 - March 2026 is not expected until October 2026. Over the course of the three financial years (2022-2025), there were 50 successful 12 week quits from pregnant women and 9 from partners/family members. 2.7.23 Engagement with pregnant women has reduced. The pregnancy service works with women who face multiple disadvantages including poverty, poor mental health or domestic abuse; all factors which make their quit attempt more challenging to maintain. A service redesign to the “Quit Your Way” pregnancy service has increased capacity to support clients who wish to stop smoking. Increased capacity will allow the team to increase visibility and facilitate face to face sessions with pregnant women and families in the community. Face to face has been introduced, working in collaboration with maternity services, in particular areas with some early positive results having seen an increase in referrals to the service. Home visits were introduced in two localities however this area of work showed no increase in engagement for pregnant women and their families. A test of change was completed using personal carbon monoxide monitors provided to women to use at home. 11 monitors were purchased and provided to women however from this 11 only 2 twelve week quits were successful. Future work plans include using the Smoke Free App with women and their families which will provide support to people when people require it such as out of hours and provide motivating facts during their quit attempt. 2.7.24 Training programme delivered in 2025-2026, included Tobacco Dependency in Pregnancy training delivered to 8 midwives from NHS Lanarkshire. 20 Staff members from NHS Lanarkshire have completed Very Brief Advice module on smoking in pregnancy online between April 20205 - December 2025. Tobacco and Vaping Programme Team would work in collaboration with money advice and tackling poverty teams to implement proposed improvement plan. 2.7.25 Future work plans include working collaboratively with maternity services to offer women face to face appointments with health improvement practitioners alongside their antenatal appointments and refer or signpost as appropriate to other services. 2.7.26 Going forward Pregnant women and their families will remain a priority, however, the action should be expanded to encompass baseline information on; smoking prevalence, children’s exposure to second hand smoke (SIMD1 areas), the number of quit dates set and the number of people who reach the 12-week quit stage This will be achieved through the TPOAG cost of living subgroup. Income from Benefits 2.8 Income from Social Security plays a vital role in tackling poverty by ensuring that people and families have a stable financial foundation when they face hardship, income or life changing circumstances. For many households these payments are the primary means of maintain stability, preventing crisis and reducing the risk of falling further into financial insecurity. Page 13 of 116
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2.9 By maximising access to entitlement, supporting people through the claims process and ensuring timely advice and intervention, we can boost household budgets, improve wellbeing and strengthen resilience across our communities. 2.10 Throughout the 2023-26 Strategy the Tackling Poverty Team has attracted temporary funding from various sources, allowing us to reach people who may not normally engage with our services, examples of this are the funding for a dedicated welfare rights officer for children and families who attend ASN schools and funding for a welfare rights officer in 4 GP practices with high level of patients from SIMD1 and 2 areas. 2.11 The Income from Benefits Tackling Poverty Driver had 13 Actions and throughout the lifespan of the strategy, all of the Actions seen increases of outcomes during 2023 to 2026, some of which are highlighted below: Action - 1,2 and 3 – Maximising Income 2.11.1 Finalising the 2023 – 2026 Tackling Poverty Strategy the Tackling Poverty Team is projecting to have received over 90,000 referrals generating £148,429,009m, in additional benefit income for our residents from 2023-26. 2.11.2 In addition to the income generated via the council services, the action plan includes the work done by the Third Sector commissioned services, the projection of income generated by the commissioned services is £23,483,391m during the lifespan of the strategy. 2.11.3 The MacMillan Service continues to be delivered to patients with a cancer diagnosis across North Lanarkshire. In 2024/25 was the first year since the Tackling Poverty Team took over the service in 2011, that referrals for those who were terminally ill were lower than 50%. 2025/26 has continued this trend, with 800 referrals received and 48% being for terminally ill. Action - 7,8,9 and 10 – Health Services (Maximising Income) 2.11.4 Within health the referrals from the Health Visitor and District Nurse pathway have increased this year, with 281 referrals received, this is a 183% increase on last year’s figure. 2.11.5 The general health referrals have also been increasing with a projection of 1219 referrals for the year 2025/26, this is a 209% increase from the baseline figure of the Strategy. 2.11.6 The GP Link Worker Programme ended in March 2025 with the loss of funding from NHS Lanarkshire. Action 4 - Food Referral Gateway 2.11.7 The food referral gateway has proven to be successful, both in reducing the number of people using foodbanks, and in generating additional income for people in crisis. 2.11.8 The aim to have foodbanks recording uniformly however, has not been successful, there was sporadic reporting with 7 foodbanks providing numbers of people who used, however, the detail in terms of family circumstance and reason for using the foodbank, was not recorded in a manner that would allow us to target resources effectively. Page 14 of 116
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Action 13 - Challenging Benefit Decisions 2.11.9 The Action Plan identified that work had to be done in our communities to encourage challenges to benefit decisions, via the mandatory reconsideration and appeal process. The Communications Group worked to produce social media messages and videos to highlight this important tool in maximising income in the last year of the Strategy. The communications have had a clear impact on people challenging benefits, with Mandatory Reconsiderations expected to rise from 224 in 2024/25 to 714 in 2025/26. With appeals rising from 117 to 135 in the same period. 2.11.10 The Welfare Reform Group have concentrated on delivering advice and support around Managed Migration – Managed Migration is the UK Government's planned process of moving people from legacy benefits onto Universal Credit. The focus of the group is to ensure that people’s income is maximised prior to migration, raising awareness and provide support with issue both pre and post migration. Holistic Supports 2.11.11 Holistic Supports refer to a whole person, whole family approach to tackling poverty, where individuals are offered co-ordinated, wrap around help that addresses the multiple interconnected factors affecting their financial wellbeing. Instead of focussing solely on income or benefits, holistic supports bring together a range of service to ensure people have the practical, emotional, financial and social assistance needed to improve their circumstances sustainably. 2.11.12 The Holistic Support Tackling Poverty Driver had 11 Actions and throughout the lifespan of the strategy, many of the Actions seen increases of outcomes during 2023 to 2026, with others requiring further development, some of which are highlighted below: Action 1 – Sustain tenancies 2.11.13 Housing Services deliver a tenancy sustainment service, with income maximisers providing benefit check and income maximisation service together with the roles of housing officer. The current measure for this within the Strategy is income maximisation in the first two years of the Strategy housing staff generated £38.9 million for their tenants. Reporting issues currently do not allow for reporting in 2025/26. Action 2 – Whole Family Support (WFS) 2.11.14 Whole Family Support was introduced to the Action Plan at the end of 2023/24 when the procurement process began, with Barnardo’s being the successful organisation to deliver WFS in our communities. In 2024/25 Barnardo’s began to establish and embed themselves in our communities receiving 340 referrals in its first year of operation, this rose to 530 in 2025/26. 2.11.15 As we move toward the 2026-31 Tackling Poverty Strategy, we will embrace the Whole Family Support approach recognising that poverty rarely affects just one aspect of a person’s life, its causes and impacts are inter-connected across the entire family. Page 15 of 116
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Action 3 - Arrest/Referral Service 2.11.16 The Arrest Referral Service is focused on early intervention by providing support to people whilst held in custody. The Tackling Poverty Team had tried to put in place a referral system to them, focussing on crimes such as shoplifting, theft etc, however, this has not been successful. The Tackling Poverty Officers Action Group will consider this or a derivative of this action for the future Strategy. Action 4 - Poverty Awareness Sessions 2.11.17 The Tackling Poverty Team have continued to deliver bespoke sessions to internal and external partners; 620 staff attended poverty awareness sessions throughout 2024/25 including newly qualified social work staff, social workers, Bernardos, Carers Together, NLADP and education. The Tackling Poverty Team have been working to produce a digital platform for these sessions which will allow more services to access this information; however, the council are in the process of purchasing a new platform and this has delayed this action. This will be taken into the 2026-31 Strategy. Action 10 – Three Questions 2.11.19 The Tackling Poverty Team launched a consultation exercise with both primary and secondary schools in 2024. The three questions; “how is the cost of living affecting you”, “how is the cost-of-living affecting others in the community” and “what would you like the council to do to help” – gave us a real insight into how poverty and inequality is/was affecting our children and young people. The response informs our Tackling Poverty Action Plan and allows us to shape our response to Child Poverty in our communities. 2.11.20 The questions have now been asked in all 118-mainstream school in North Lanarkshire, with 3550 pupils taking part with 20,036 responses received. 2.11.21 The next steps for the new Strategy are to use these responses to inform Cost of the School Day Resources for schools, and to ask the questions within our ASN school settings. Local Child Poverty Action Report 2025 2.11.22 North Lanarkshire’s year 7 Local Child Poverty Action Report (LCPAR) was processed by Public Health Scotland (PHS) and classified as an extremely strong plan which might be used as an exemplar. 2.11.23 The report provides strong evidence that child poverty is a key priority and driving local improvement in North Lanarkshire. The governance structures and partnerships are in place for child poverty to be considered across a range of policy areas. The report shows how the local partnership is shifting to structurally embed child poverty prevention activities as a way of working (rather than pockets of good practice and short-term activities) while still seeking new opportunities to target low incomes family and improve reach. 2.11.24 The key strengths, interesting or innovative practices and areas for improvement of the report are outlined in the Joint Log in Appendix 3. Page 16 of 116
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Next Steps 2.12 The Scottish Government have published its final Child Poverty Delivery Plan 2026- 2031 – Bringing Hope, Building Futures. The Plan focuses on the four key drivers and 15 interconnected areas where further action is needed, such as, Childcare, ‘in work poverty’ and Public Debt which had already been identified by the Tackling Poverty Officer Action Group along with 18 to 44 Single Adults as areas requiring more work and action in the new Tackling Poverty Strategy. 2.13 Looking ahead to the 2026–31 Strategy, the Council has invested £200,000 in cost of living support to residents and to strengthen the work of the Tackling Poverty Team, that maintains our commitment to a whole‑family support approach, strengthen early‑intervention pathways, and enhance integration across services to deliver more responsive, preventative and sustainable support for residents. 3. Measures of success 3.1 North Lanarkshire Council Towards a Fairer North Lanarkshire Tackling Poverty Strategy 2023 to 2026 has been delivered in a way that is consistent with the Councils’ Programme for Work – Resilient People delivering the whole family support locally when families need it, ensuring that a “no wrong door” approach is adopted across all our services, meaning that no matter where someone presents there will be a referral gateway to the services that a person or family require to help them out of poverty. 3.2 The successful delivery and outcomes of 2023 - 2026 Towards a Fairer North Lanarkshire – Tackling Poverty Strategy – Action Plan, as outlined above in the report. 4. Supporting documentation 4.1 Appendix 1 – Final ‘Towards a fairer North Lanarkshire Tackling Poverty Action Plan 2023 to 2026’. 4.2 Appendix 2 – Presentation on each Tackling Poverty Driver 4.3 Appendix 3 – Joint Action Log PHS – LCPAR 2025 Alison Gordon Chief Social Work Officer Page 17 of 116
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5. Impacts 5.1 Public Sector Equality Duty and Fairer Scotland Duty Does the report contain information that has an impact as a result of the Public Sector Equality Duty and/or Fairer Scotland Duty? Yes ☒ No ☐ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the impact? The Towards a Fairer North Lanarkshire Tackling Poverty Strategy is fully aligned with the requirements of the Fairer Scotland Duty, its purpose being to reduce the inequalities caused by socio economic disadvantage. If Yes, has an assessment been carried out and published on the council’s website? https://www.northlanarkshire.gov.uk/your-community/equalities/equality- and-fairer-scotland-duty-impact-assessments Yes ☒ No ☐ 5.2 Financial impact Does the report contain any financial impacts? Yes ☐ No ☒ If Yes, have all relevant financial impacts been discussed and agreed with Finance? Yes ☐ No ☐ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the impact? 5.3 HR policy impact Does the report contain any HR policy or procedure impacts? Yes ☐ No ☒ If Yes, have all relevant HR impacts been discussed and agreed with People Resources? Yes ☐ No ☐ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the impact? 5.4 Legal impact Does the report contain any legal impacts (such as general legal matters, statutory considerations (including employment law considerations), or new legislation)? Yes ☐ No ☒ If Yes, have all relevant legal impacts been discussed and agreed with Legal and Democratic? Yes ☐ No ☐ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the impact? 5.5 Data protection impact Does the report / project / practice contain or involve the processing of personal data? Yes ☐ No ☒ If Yes, is the processing of this personal data likely to result in a high risk to the data subject? Yes ☐ No ☐ If Yes, has a Data Protection Impact Assessment (DPIA) been carried out and e- mailed to dataprotection@northlan.gov.uk Page 18 of 116
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Yes ☐ No ☐ 5.6 Technology / Digital impact Does the report contain information that has an impact on either technology, digital transformation, service redesign / business change processes, data management, or connectivity / broadband / Wi-Fi? Yes ☐ No ☒ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the impact? Where the impact identifies a requirement for significant technology change, has an assessment been carried out (or is scheduled to be carried out) by the Enterprise Architecture Governance Group (EAGG)? Yes ☐ No ☐ 5.7 Environmental / Carbon impact Does the report / project / practice contain information that has an impact on any environmental or carbon matters? Yes ☐ No ☒ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the impact? 5.8 Communications impact Does the report contain any information that has an impact on the council’s communications activities? Yes ☒ No ☐ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the impact? The Tackling Poverty Officers Action Group Subgroup developed a Communications Plan with Corporate Communications. 5.9 Risk impact Is there a risk impact? Yes ☒ No ☐ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the key risks and potential impacts, highlighting where the risk(s) are assessed and recorded (e.g. Corporate or Service or Project Risk Registers), and how they are managed? Tackling Poverty has been identified as a Corporate Risk, with the Chief Social Work Officer as the risk lead. Towards a Fairer North Lanarkshire - Tackling Poverty Strategy sets out a planned approach which seeks to eliminate poverty or make very significant reductions in the level of poverty resulting in benefit to the residents and including improvement in the overall level of health and wellbeing of communities. 5.10 Armed Forces Covenant Duty Does the report require to take due regard of the Armed Forces Covenant Duty (i.e. does it relate to healthcare, housing, or education services for in-Service or ex- Service personnel, or their families, or widow(er)s)? Yes ☐ No ☒ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the provision which has been made to ensure there has been appropriate consideration of the particular needs of the Armed Forces community to make sure that they do not face disadvantage compared to other citizens in the provision of public services. 5.11 Children’s rights and wellbeing impact Page 19 of 116
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Does the report contain any information regarding any council activity, service delivery, policy, or plan that has an impact on children and young people up to the age of 18, or on a specific group of these? Yes ☒ No ☐ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the impact and the provision that has been made to ensure there has been appropriate consideration of the relevant Articles from the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC). In North Lanarkshire we recognise that tackling poverty and inequality does not fall to one Service, or one Sector, we must therefore work together to use our resources effectively and efficiently to ensure that all our communities have access to opportunities that will lead to better outcomes for people in terms of employment, wellbeing and inclusive growth. If Yes, has a Children’s Rights and Wellbeing Impact Assessment (CRWIA) been carried out? Yes ☒ No ☐ Page 20 of 116
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Key TP Strategy Only TP Strategy and LCPAR REDUCE THE COST OF LIVING Number Action 2022 / 23 Baseline 2023/ 24 Outcomes 2024/25 Outcomes 2025 / 26 Outcomes Timescales Status LCPAR Lead Team Monitoring Information 1 Increase uptake of School Clothing Grants 12,784 Clothing Grants awarded from June 2022 - May 2023 For School Pupils. An additional 937 Grants for made for nursery pupils 11,864 Clothing Grants awarded from June 2023 - May 2024 For School Pupils. 11, 942 clothing grants were awarded.Awards were made to 7,314 families 11,387 estimate for25/26 Ongoing Ongoing TP Strategy and LCPAR Revenues & Benefits The number of clothing grants claimed and distributed 2 Increase uptake of Free School Meal Awards 12,151 FSM awards in 2020, 11,176 awards in 2021, 10,683 awards in 2022 10,401 FSM * No of school meal holiday vouchers issued 9999 pupils total value of £1, 497,503 10, 743 were awarded a Free School Meal. 49,700 individual payments made in 2024- 25, totalling £1, 499, 000. 6, 126 families benefitted from the payments. On average payments were made for 9,942 children and young people during School breaks throughout the year. In 2023/24 9999 pupils received total payment of for School Holiday periods. The total figure paid out in School Meal Vouchers was £1, 497, 503. 10, 621 estimate for 25/26. Individual payments – circa 50,000 payments at total value of £1,500,000. School meal holiday vouchers - Approximately 9900 children and young people will receive a payment during each of the Summer, October, Winter, February, and Easter holidays. Approximately 6100 families will receive this support. Ongoing Ongoing TP Strategy and LCPAR Revenues & Benefits The number of Children in receipt of Free School Meals 3 Club 365 Club 365 has provided over 88, 000 meals and activity sessions since inception N/A N/A N/A Ongoing Ongoing TP Strategy and LCPAR Revenues & Benefits Numbers of Meals and Activity Sessions Delivered 4 Increase uptake of education maintenance allowance (EMA) in 22/23 1327 applications. 876 awards. 66% award rate (down from 73% award rate in 21/22) in 23/24 1537 applications. 944 awards. 61% award rate (down from 66% award rate in 22/23) 1492 awards made in 2024/25. 57.10% success rate 1348 applications received. 745 awards approved. 351 decisions pending. 252 unsuccessful applications Ongoing Ongoing TP Strategy and LCPAR Revenues & Benefits The number of EMA grants claimed 5 Increase take up of Free School Meals In situ Currently (May 2023) at 65-70% (May 2024) at 65-70% In 2024/25 of those who are entitled to FSM in primary schools 62% of pupils take this up. In Secondary Schools 44% take up FSM. The national take up rate for primary education is 72.1% and for secondary is 62.7%. In 2025/26 as at 30th Jan 2026 of those who are entitled to FSM in primary schools 61% of pupils take this up. In Secondary Schools 42% take up FSM Ongoing launched and ongoing TP Strategy and LCPAR Facilities Support Services Take up rates for Free School Meals 6 Fuel Poverty Unknown as SHCS data unavailable for Local Authorities however, zero has been used as the starting point for the introduction of this service 159 households assisted 2023/24 217 residents assisted through NLEAS, Funding ceased March 2025. ACtion revised to read "Fuel Poverty" and CAB energy projects figs reported for first time. 3,339 clients supported. £750,660 new energy debt. 415 referrals to Home Energy Scotland. £12,007 energy debt written off, £310,613 of income generated for energy debt refs 3,394 clients were supported with energy related queries £709,598 in new energy debt. 29 referrals to Home Energy Scotland. £370,448 of income generated for energy debt refs (£2,724 of client financial gain was through debts written off) 2,740 Fuel Vouchers were distributed to clients. 2 years launched and ongoing TP Strategy and LCPAR Housing Solutions will be monitored via NLAN and Wise Group reporting 7 Affordable Credit 5 credit unions affiliated to the Scottish League of Credit Unions have 9,642 adult members and 1,462 junior members. Unable to get contacts for ABCUL credit unions at present. 5 credit unions affiliated to the Scottish League of Credit Unions have 10,250 adult members and 1,460 junior members. Unable to get contacts for ABCUL credit unions at present. SCOTWEST 7,900+ members. ABCUL scotland 16 affiliated CU Adult Members: 7603, Junior Savers: 689 members numbers SLCU 5 affiliated CUs in NL with with 9,368 adult members. TPT delivered 28 sessions on Affordable Credit Scotwest 7,743 adult members, and 360 junior members. Their Loan book is £13.9 million Average loan is £4,511 Total Savings = £18.9 million Average savings = £1,126 ABCUL 6 Credit Unions and Scotwest as above. 498 junior members 4929 adult members Total savings= £6,597 Total loan book= £4,520,019 SLCU 5 credit Unions 10,780 adult members 1300 junior members Total Shares= 22.59million Total Loans= 7.736 million ongoing ongoing TP Strategy and LCPAR The Tackling Poverty Team The number of employers promoting payslip deductions The number of people joining the credit union Local Child Poverty Action Plan 2023 - Page 21 of 116
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REDUCE THE COST OF LIVING Number Action 2022 / 23 Baseline 2023/ 24 Outcomes 2024/25 Outcomes 2025 / 26 Outcomes Timescales Status LCPAR Lead Team Monitoring Information 8 Debt Advice 1744 referrals received in 2022/23 NLC TPT) 1886 referrals received in 2023/24. (NLC TPT) 3,846 referrals (CABx) NLC DA 2,367 referrals. NLC TPT dealt with £5,304,616 of debt. CAB 3846 referrals. CAB dealt with £4,040,913 of debt 2025/26 NLC TPT received 1834 referrals for debt advice (estimated till end March 2026).Total debt dealt with 25/26 is £3,372, 966.81(estimated till end March) CAB 2,579 clients dealt with £3million of debt Ongoing Ongoing TP Strategy and LCPAR The Tackling Poverty Team Number of referrals to the Debt Advice Team Level of debt assisted 9 New Affordable Homes by NLC At 1 December 2022, 1,566 homes delivered (970 new build + 596 OMPS) Since 1 December 2023, 541 new homes delivered (381 new build + 160 OMPS) April 2024 – March 2025 370 new homes in total. NLC have built 278 homes and acquired additional 92 from OMPS April 2025- March 2026. 144 new homes in total. 29 new build completed this year plus 115 OMPS. 300 homes under construction just now. Total Wheelchair Standard Homes (NLC & RSL) = 80 Total NLC Homes for Larger Families (5 persons+) = 117 2035 Ongoing TP Strategy and LCPAR Housing New Supply Number of new homes built 10 New Affordable Homes in partnership 2126 homes have been delivered 318 homes have been built since 1st Dec 2022. 2444 homes have been delivered 81 homes built working with 5 partners RSL Affordable Housing 2025/26 = 139 (new build) ongoing Ongoing TP Strategy and LCPAR Housing New Supply Number of new homes built 11 Improved Energy Efficiency in NLC Housing Stock At 2021/22, 99.2% of the homes are at D or above 99.5% of all NLC housing stock is rated EPC D or above Down slightly to 99.4% of NLC stock rated at EPC D or above 99.5% of all NLC housing stock is rated EPC D or above Ongoing Ongoing TP Strategy and LCPAR Housing Investment all housing stock is EPC D or above by 2025 12 Improve Energy Efficiency to owner occupied properties £0.1 m spent In 2023/24 it is expected that £2m will be spent on private owned properties £1.5m of EES:ABS funding claimed. £2.9m allocated for 2025/26 £2m of EES:ABS funding claimed. £2.9m allocated for 2025/26 Ongoing Ongoing TP Strategy and LCPAR Housing Solutions Number of homes approved 13 Support homeowners to adapt their homes 187 disabled adaptations grant provided in 2022 - the scheme has been revised with no funding available for owner grants 236 disabled adaptations grant provided in 2023 - the scheme has no funding available for owner grants 251 disabled mandatory grant adaptations grant were provided to owners in 2024/25 with a total expenditure of £1,498,645 await 2025- 26 figs Ongoing Ongoing TP Strategy Only Private Sector Housing reduce the cost of living by preventing and addressing disrepair and improving health and wellbeing by suporting owners to adapt their homes. *Revision of scheme of assistance completed. Other than mandatory (Disabled Adaptation Grants) no funding available for owner grants for disrepair. Current grant funding for NLC capital programmes is scheduled to end this 14 Furniture Fund In 2021/22, 23 Housing First households assisted at an average figure of £861.39 per household from RRTP. N/A N/A N/A Ongoing Ongoing TP Strategy Only Housing Solutions Reduce the cost of living by providing financial support for better quality furniture to people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness to settle in their accommodation 15 Support homeowners to adapt, repair and maintain their homes (within mixed tenure blocks) 99.2% of the homes are at D or above 99.2% of the homes are EPC D or above Improvements were undertaken to 96 flats in Airdrie, Kilsyth and Coatbridge and 8 houses in Motherwell 24 owner occupiers with homes within mixed tenure blocks assisted with grants for home improvements including roofing and controlled door entry systems. Total spend £68, 730 Ongoing Ongoing TP Strategy and LCPAR Housing Solutions Number of home owners assisted 16 Free Transport for Under 22's 42,160 total number issued. 61.75% overall uptake 48,579 total number issued. 72% overall uptake 79% take up in 2024/25. 52, 843 cards issued. 52,843 cards issued in total . Age breakdown - Ages 5-10 years 13,207 cards issued, 11-18years 30,694 cards and 19-22years 8,942 cards 82% take up in 2025/2026. 85, 306 cards issued ongoing ongoing TP Strategy and LCPAR CLD number of travel cards provided 17 Improved and accessible walking, wheeling and cycling network. 7.8 kms of active travel routes created in 2021/22 N/A - see 'Supporting the Plan' Driver N/A N/A 125kms to be created by 2032 Ongoing TP Strategy and LCPAR Transportation / Planning number of travel routes 18 The Multiply Project N/A N/A - see 'Supporting the Plan' Driver N/A N/A N/A N/A TP Strategy and LCPAR N/A N/A Page 22 of 116
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REDUCE THE COST OF LIVING Number Action 2022 / 23 Baseline 2023/ 24 Outcomes 2024/25 Outcomes 2025 / 26 Outcomes Timescales Status LCPAR Lead Team Monitoring Information 19 Address Period Poverty 311, 767 products to NLC establishments (excluding education and culture venues) 87,396 to education 733,692 products were distributed in total. (82,596 to NHS sites & 651,096 to NLC sites) 1,213,171 total products delivered (862,889 of the total were distributed via community sites and 350, 282 via Education sites) 1,250,000 products, covering all North Lanarkshire Council public-facing buildings and education establishments. local residents accessed free period products from over 100 North Lanarkshire Council public-facing buildings and 180 education establishments Ongoing Complete TP Strategy and LCPAR Enterprise and Communities Number of products delivered and taken up 20 Support people to stop smoking to reduce outgoings 24 pregnant women living in the 40% most deprived areas successfully quit smoking at 12 weeks (April 2022-Dec 2022 data). Published and confirmed data for April 2022 – March 2023 will be available in January 2024. NL % of pregnant women smoking at booking in appt 12.6% year ending Dec 2022 (scotland rate 11.9%) 28 pregnant women living in the 40% most deprived areas successfully quit smoking at 12 weeks (April 2023-Dec 2023 data). NL % of pregnant women smoking at booking in appt 12.7% year ending Dec 2022 (scotland rate 11%) 2 pregnant women living in the 40% most deprived areas successfully quit smoking at 12 weeks (Q1 & Q2) This is against a target for Q1 and Q2 of 15 women. Therefore, target was 13.33% achieved, compared to 32% achieved in 2023/24. There were zero 12 week quit attempts achieved in quarter 1 of 2025/26. Published and validated data for April 2025-March 2026 is not expected until October 2026. Over the course of the three financial years (2022-2025), there were 35 successful 12 week quits from pregnant women and 3 from partners/family members. Ongoing Ongoing TP Strategy and LCPAR NHS Lanarkshire Quit Your Way Service Number of Tackling Poverty staff members trained. Number of pregnant women supported to stop smoking. 21 restorative justice tackling poverty (Recycled Bicycle Initiatives) 320 bicycles recycled 320 bicycles recycled 2022/23. Programme of bike maintenance underway 364 bikes recycled in 2024/25 Additional Measures to tackle poverty also underway. Action is revised to "Action 20 - Tackling Poverty Measures - restorative justice". 554 items have been constructed by Justice woodwork workshop and utilised within our communities figures unavailable until later in the year ongoing ongoing TP Strategy and LCPAR Restorative Justice Number of bikes restored 22 Rent Assistance Fund (moved from Income from Benefits Driver 522 grants awarded in 22/23 1050 grants awarded in 23/24 (103% increase) 671 awards were made in 2024/25 (decrease due to increased applications to Universal Credit Assistance Fund 88 RAF awards processed in 2025/26 to date Ongoing Ongoing TP Strategy Only The Tackling Poverty Team 23 Universal Credit Assistance Fund (moved from Income from Benefits Driver 522 grants awarded in 2022/23 1,908 awards made 23/24 3,928 awards were made in 2024/25 3,414 UCAF awards processed in 2025/26 to date Ongoing Ongoing TP Strategy and LCPAR Housing Services number of payments made Page 23 of 116
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Appendix 1 TP Strategy and LCPAR Number Action 2022/23 Baseline 2023/24 Outcomes 2024/25 Outcomes 2025/26 Outcomes Timescales Status Identify if applies to TPS &/or LCPAR Lead Team Monitoring Information 1 North Lanarkshire to increase the number of people employed and receiving the real living wage 123 employers have achieved accreditation, with 7053 employees benefiting from the living wage 135 NL based employers have achieved accreditation with 27, 977 employees benefitting As at 15th Sept 2025 there are 150 Living Wage accredited employers in North Lanarkshire and this has resulted in 7600 uplifted staff. There are 151 RLW accredited employers in North Lanarkshire and this has resulted in 7,634 uplifted staff Ongoing Ongoing TP Strategy and LCPAR NLC Employability VANL for CVS * Number of employers paying the living wage * Number of employees receiving the living wage 2 Social Values - moved to Holistic Driver, Action 5 "Community Benefits" 5% current weighting applied 5% current weighting applied N/A N/A Ongoing on TP Strategy and LCPAR Procurement Number of tenders where higher weighting was applied to living wage providers 3 Working for Families 22/23 - 40 parents have secured employment. Further 18 employed parents have progressed within employment. 104 parents have registered and are engaging with the Project. In 2023/24 North Lanarkshire’s Working and Routes to Work Ltd supported 85 parents into employment or into better paying jobs with 75% sustaining employment for at least 26 weeks. All activities related to parents and increasing income from employment have access to advice and support from the Tackling Poverty team and there are close links with other services which deal with parents both in the Council and among stakeholders. In 2024/25 an increased target of 192 low income parents into employment is in place with a similar level of grant funded programmes within the third sector to support parents. Overall Working for Families provision engaged with 1717 clients, with 924 new registrations. 545 clients had postive outcomes including 225 employment, 78 self employment, 4 apprentices, 171 accredited training, 12 further ed, 30 volunteering, 15 work experience. 1600 parents supported 800 new registrations with WFF 210 parents into employment 60 into self-employment subject to annual funding from the SG - further activity planned for 2025/26 2025/26, however, subject to funding may continue beyond this. TP Strategy and LCPAR Employability Routes to Work Number of parents entering and within target groups progressing in employment Local Child Poverty Action INCREASE INCOME VIA EMPLOYMENT Page 24 of 116
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Number Action 2022/23 Baseline 2023/24 Outcomes 2024/25 Outcomes 2025/26 Outcomes Timescales Status Identify if applies to TPS &/or LCPAR Lead Team Monitoring Information INCREASE INCOME VIA EMPLOYMENT 4 Identify pathways within labour market growth sectors or areas of high replacement demand which will provide progression routes out of low pay in North Lanarkshire. The gross weekly wage in North Lanarkshire (based on all full time workers) was £656.60 in 2022 The gross weekly wage in North Lanarkshire(based on all full time workers) is £705.70, an increase of 29.3% This position continues in the latest data which shows the gross weekly pay for North Lanarkshire’s residents has reached £740.40 in 2024 compared to £740.00 nationally. This is an increase of 4.1% (£29.40 per week) in North Lanarkshire over the year compared to 4.3% (£30.60) nationally. Care Academies: 410 people engaged. 35 people gained employment, 513 supported to complete training course or gained qualification. (built environment and care academies). 25 people accessed basic skills course (Digital Academy) Ongoing The gross weekly pay for local residents is now higher than the national average for the first time ever - an increase of 10% (£63.90 per week) for North Lanarkshire residents from the previous years results TP Strategy and LCPAR Enterprise Team Number of people progressing to higher paid jobs within North Lanarkshire Noomis statistics for levels of qualifications within working age population and average weekly wage 5 Supported Enterprise 22/23 - Supported Employment currently supporting 210 people on the different stages of the 5 stage employment model - 129 people currently receiving various levels of work support 41 people currently job finding Supported Employment Service supported 221 people on the 5- stage employment model. 129 received work support. 41 in job finding phase. currently working with over 200 clients with 43 entering employment. Supported Employment Service supported 226 people on the 5- stage employment model, with 116 people receiving various levels of work support. 53 people in the job finding phase. Supported Employment are currently working with over 200 clients with 85 entering employment. The service has high levels of sustainment within employment Supported Employment Service supported 273 people on the 5- stage employment model, with 210 people receiving various levels of work support. 64 people in the job finding phase. Supported Employment are currently working with over 242 clients with 78 entering and employment. The service has seen an increase in referrels during 25/26 which has resulted in the service currently having a waiting list Ongoing Continued support planned for the next 3 years TP Strategy and LCPAR Employability Number of people progressing to higher paid jobs within North Lanarkshire Noomis statistics for levels of qualifications within working age population and average weekly wage 6 No one Left Behind 22/23 - Engaged with 101 people and supported 49 into employment. The focus is on 2 groups, the over 50s and those of any age who are long term unemployed. In 2023/24 147 16 -24 year olds were supported into employment – this was a mix of unemployed young people with little work experience or qualifications as well as a small group who were leaving school to a negative destination. In addition another 30 young people with additional support needs or who are care experienced were supported into year long work placements. In 2024/25 a target of 155 unemployed young people supported into work is in place with another 30 young people with additional support needs or who are care-experienced being supported into yearlong work placements. In tandem with these programmes in 2024/25 are our wider employability programmes which In 2024/25 No One Left Behind funds,(excluding Working for Families reported on separately)co- ordinated by the Council and Local Employability Partnership, engaged with 1661 unemployed or economically inactive residents. 633 of those engaged entered employment as a result of this support. engage with approximately 1500 NLC residents and For 2025-26 we will support approximately 996 residents into employment Ongoing Continued support planned for the next 3 years TP Strategy and LCPAR Employability Number of people in target groups employed. Number of young people supported to gain qualifications Page 25 of 116
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Number Action 2022/23 Baseline 2023/24 Outcomes 2024/25 Outcomes 2025/26 Outcomes Timescales Status Identify if applies to TPS &/or LCPAR Lead Team Monitoring Information INCREASE INCOME VIA EMPLOYMENT 7 No One Left Behind Phase 2 - removed and now one NOLB action (6) N/A Nine projects were funded (cost £560,000) and delivered by the Third Sector in North Lanarkshire to work with parents on low incomes and focus on engaging them in activities and removing barriers to make them more job ready. People Plus, One Parent Families Scotland, Enable and New College Lanarkshire were some of the organisations involved in these projects. N/A N/A Ongoing Continued support planned for the next 3 years TP Strategy and LCPAR Employability Number of people in target groups employed 8 Living Hours 5 employers in North Lanarkshire are accredited as Real Living Hours employers 5 employers in North Lanarkshire are accredited as Real Living Hours employers 5 employers in North Lanarkshire are accredited as Real Living Hours employers 8 emp+J14:J15loyers in North Lanarkshire are accredited as Real Living Hours Employers ongoing ongong TP Strategy and LCPAR NLC Employability VANL for CVS number of employers providing living hours employment. Number of employees working living hours 9 Increase entrepreneurship, self- employment and the business birth rate in North Lanarkshire n/a n/a New Action 2024. Baseline to be adopted -most recent figures available Business Birth Rate per 10.000 working age population is 52, 3-year business survival rate is 54.1% and 7.2 % of economically active people moved into self- employment. From January 2024 - Lanarkshire Business Gateway dealt with 966 pre-start enquiries and 217 Businesses start-ups resulted Estimate for full-year based on 2025/26 targets would be 1,000 enquiries, 325 starts and 50 new business plus clients supported. annual ongoing TP Strategy and LCPAR Enterprise and Development ONS annual population survey (Self employment statistics) Business Birth and Survival Rates – ONS Business Demography 10 SHERU research into No One Left Behind Project n/a n/a n/a - discussions starting in October 2025 Awaiting the publication of the SHERU Action Learning Set Report 2026 Ongoing ongoing TP Strategy and LCPAR Employability and Justice reports from SHERU Page 26 of 116
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Key TP Strategy Only TP Strategy and LCPAR Number Action Brief Description How We Measure Success Links to Other Strategies Link to Programme Of Work 2022 / 23 Baseline 2023/ 24 Outcomes 2024/25 Outcomes 2025 / 26 Outcomes Timescales Status Identify if applies to TPS &/or LCPAR Lead Team Monitoring Information 1 The Tackling Poverty Team and other council services to continue to maximise the income of the residents of North Lanarkshire All residents are offered income maximisation and we continue to promote the "no wrong door" approach Residents will be directed to the tackling poverty team to ensure income is fully maximised The Plan for North Lanarkshire Resilient People 18,521 benefit checks carried out in 2022/23 - £35,480,020 generated in addtiional income 26,158 benefit checks carried out in 23/24 (41.2% increase) - £47,935,822 generated in additional income (35.1% increase) 29,819 benefit checks carried out in 24/25 (61% increase from baseline) £54,515,930 generated in additional benefit income (54% increase from baseline of 22/23) An estimated 20% increase in the volume of referrals based on 10 month calls 35,136 - estimating income levels based on 3 year average of the strategy £45,977,257 Ongoing Ongoing TP Strategy and LCPAR The Tackling Poverty Team Number of Benefit Checks / Benefit Claims / Resolutions Income Generated 2 Work with all social work services to ensure income maximisation is carried out for all vulnerable client groups Social Work staff refer people to the Tackling Poverty Team who will carry out all income maximisation work Referrals to the tackling poverty team from all social work staff The Plan for North Lanarkshire Resilient People 4888 benefit checks carried out in 2022/23 9639 benefit checks carried out in 23/24 (now able to report income gen - £5.062.066) 9990 benefit checks completed in 24/25 generating £6,5537,291 9804 benefit checks completed generating a projected £5.8 million Ongoing Ongoing TP Strategy and LCPAR The Tackling Poverty Team Number of Benefit Checks / Benefit Claims / Resolutions Income Generated 3 MacMillan Advice Service Maximise the income of cancer patients, their families and carers Provide an income maximisation and debt advice service The Cancer Strategy Resilient People 700 referrals in 2022/23 700 referrals in 2023/24 (generating £3,542,782) 857 referrals in 2024/25 generating £3,422,823 in additional benefit income An estimated 865 referrals based on the 10 month average information available - the forecased income generated is £3.4 million in line wth last years income generated. Ongoing Ongoing TP Strategy and LCPAR The Tackling Poverty Team Number of Benefit Checks / Benefit Claims / Resolutions Income Generated 4 Food Poverty Referral Gateway Mitigate the need for foodbank use by ensuring access to advice services and claims to crisis grants A decrease in the use of foodbanks The Plan for North Lanarkshire Resilient People not available work still being carried out on referral monitoring with food banks, however, £1.2million in additional benefit income has been generated for those accessing the service. work still being carried out on referral monitoring with food banks, however, £2.1million in additional benefit income has been generated for those accessing the service. Sporadic reporting of foodbank usage across North Lanarkshire, using an average of the last 2 years reporting projecting £1.65 million in income generated. Ongoing, however, cash payments administered by the TPT will end in November 25 Ongoing TP Strategy and LCPAR The Tackling Poverty Team Number of referrals to foodbanks Number of Crisis Grant applications 5 Food Poverty Action Group Group to consider uniform recording across all emergency food providers Uniform recording adopted by all emergency food providers The Plan for North Lanarkshire Resilient People n/a 21 food providers contacted - 3 currently working with co- ordinator 7 food providers are now working with the co-ordinator, with 2 foodbanks closing 7 food providers worked with North Lan to look at recording, however, there was sporadic reporting of this. Nov-25 ongoing TP Strategy and LCPAR The Tackling Poverty Team Number of foodbanks recording 6 Welfare Reform Group The welfare reform group to ensure serviceds, elected members etc are kept fully abreast of welfare reform changes and their impact on our communities updates are provided and action taken when necessary The Plan for North Lanarkshire Resilient People n/a NLAN - social media messages around managed migration. The team have produced some animations, and will continue to work in this area https://www.northlanarkshire. gov.uk/your- community/tackling- poverty/poverty-initiatives-and- campaigns Welfare Reform promoting the advice around Managed Migration has been the biggest piece of work since 2023 ensuring income is maximised prior to migrating and raising awareness and providing support with issues pre and post migration. Beyond this we have had the NLAN event to promote the work ongoing across all the partners in North Lanarkshire. Elected Members pack produced and circulated Ongoing Ongoing TP Strategy and LCPAR North Lanarkshire Advice Network Issues raised / campaigns 7 Health Staff refer to income maximisation and debt advice services Health Staff will ensure money issues are addressed and referrals are made to the tackling poverty team Increased number of teams and services in NHS Lanarkshire referring patients to the tackling poverty team to ensure income is fully maximised NHS Cost of Living Resilient People 394 referrals 22/23 591 referrals received in 23/24 (increase of 50%) 1044 referra;s received in 2024/25 (77% increase from previous year, 165% increase from baseline) projecting 1219 referals for 2025/26 (209% increase from baseline - 16% increase from previous year) Ongoing Ongoing TP Strategy and LCPAR The Tackling Poverty Team Number of Benefit Checks / Benefit Claims / Resolutions Income Generated / Number of health teams or services referring 8 Improvement Service Project - GP Practices GP Practices identified by the Improvement Service have a welfare rights officer in situ, with access to GP records The welfare rights service is integrated into the GP Practice The Plan for North Lanarkshire Resilient People 357 referrals 22/23 608 referrals received in 23/24 (70% increase) 890 referrals received in 24/25 (149% incease from the baseline figure) The project has proven to be very successful, with 1498 patients referred in the last 2 years, generating over £4million in additional income Ongoing Ongoing TP Strategy and LCPAR The Tackling Poverty Team Number of Benefit Checks / Benefit Claims / Resolutions Income Generated 9 Relaunch Health Visitor & District Nurse Referral Pathway Poverty Awareness Training and pathway training to take place health visitor and district nurses make referrals to the tackling poverty team NHS Cost of Living Resilient People n/a 119 referrals received in 23/24 99 referrals received in 24/25 281 referrals projected for 2025/26 a 183% increase on last years figure Ongoing Ongoing TP Strategy and LCPAR The Tackling Poverty Team number of referrals to the tackling poverty team 10 GP Community Link Worker Programme community link worker embedded within GP practices across North Lanarkshire making referrals to information and advice services embed link workers and increase support to patients NHS Cost of Living Resilient People 482 welfare rights referrals (22/23) 146 debt advice referrrals (22/23) 333 welfare rights referrals (23/24) 31% decrease 133 debt advice referrals (23/24) 9% decrease 562 welfare rights referrals (17% increase from the baseline) 146 debt referrals (no change from 24/25) Ended March 2025 Ended March 2025 Funding has ended TP Strategy and LCPAR The Tackling Poverty Team Number of Benefit Checks / Benefit Claims / Resolutions Income Generated 11 Commissioned Services - Income Maximiation via Benefit Uptake All residents are offered income maximisation and we continue to promote the "no wrong door" approach the successful commissioned service offer income maximisation to the residents of North Lanarkshire NHS Cost of Living Resilient People £5,267,650 income generated for north lanarkshrie residents 2022/23 £8.259.352 income generated for north lanarkshire residents 23/24 - 55% increase £7,650,175 income generated for north lanakrshire residents (a 45% increase from the baseline) based on first 6 months figures - projection is £7,575,924 income generated for NL residents Ongoing Ongoing TP Strategy and LCPAR The Tackling Poverty Team Number of Benefit Checks / Benefit Claims / Resolutions Income Generated 12 Welfare Rights Officer - Additional Support Needs Schools Welfare Rights Officer to deliver income maximisation to families and carers Number of benefit checks / income generated The Plan for North Lanarkshire Resilient People N/A introduced in August 2024 117 benefit checks - £519,259 in additional benefit income generated The Project has had over 200 referrals since August 2024, final income generated won't be fully known until the Summer 2026 project extended for a further year project extended to June 2026 TP Strategy and LCPAR Education and The Tackling Poverty Team Number of people accessing the service / income generated 13 Work with the community and Services to encourage challenges to benefit decisions via Mandatory Reconsiderations and Appeals to Upper Tribunal level Encourage residents to exhaust all challenges to benefit decisions number of mandatory reconsiderations / number of appeals lodged / income generated via MR and Appeal The Plan for North Lanarkshire Resilient People introduced in 2024 (however, stats available for 23/24) * 293 Mandatory Reconsiderations * 124 appeals * £1,269,619 generated 224 mandatory reconsiderations 117 appeals £1,245,575 income generated projected figures - 714 mandatory reconsiderations 135 appeals Income Generated £1,257,597 Ongoing Ongoing TP Strategy and LCPAR Tackling Poverty Team number of mandatory reconsiderations / number of appeals lodged / income generated via MR and Appeal Local Child Poverty Action Plan 2023 - 26 INCREASE INCOME VIA SOCIAL SECURITY Page 27 of 116
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Key TP Strategy Only TP Strategy and LCPAR Number Action Brief Description How We Measure Success Links to Other Strategies Link to Programme Of Work 2022/23 Baseline 2023/24 Outcomes 2024/25 Outcomes 2025/26 Outcomes Timescales Status Identify if applies to TPS &/or LCPAR Lead Team Monitoring Information 1 Sustain Tenancies Deliver increased financial advice and assistance via 8 income maximisers increase incomes from social security, reducing rent arrears and sustaining tenancies in social rented homes Local Housing Strategy Resilient People £15,041,070 income generated - 4007 benefit checks completed £18,850,629 income generated - 7040 benefit checks completed £20,075,184 income generated - 8995 benefit checks completed Deliver financial advice and assistance via income maximisers (housing). The current measure for this within the Strategy is income maximisation in the first two years of the Strategy housing staff generated £38.9 million for their tenants. Reporting issues currently do not allow for reporting in 2025/26 Ongoing Ongoing TP Strategy and LCPAR Housing Solutions Number of Benefit Checks / Benefit Claims / Resolutions Income Generated 2 Whole Family Support To create a flexible, reliable and integrated support for families to ensure that every famly who needs support gets the right support at the right time. People have access to income maximisation, employability and money advice services at the right time. Childrens Services Plan Resilient People n/a Barnardos awarded the contract - Families Here and Now Service started June 2024 340 referrals received by the FHANS service 510 referrals received by FHANS service (potentially higher as does not include March 26 figures) 2023 - 26 ongoing TP Strategy and LCPAR Education, Children and Families inter service referrals 3 Arrest / Referral Service The North Lanarkshire Arrest Referral Service is focussed on early intervention by providing support to people whilst held in police custody and connecting them to services within the community to address individual needs Number of referrals to the tackling poverty team Community Justice Improvement Plan Resilient People n/a Meeting held - service leaflets provided No referrals received through this project no referrals received throught his project - decision to be made around this 2025 ongoing TP Strategy and LCPAR The service is delivered by Scottish Drugs Forum and Phoenix Futures and funded by North Lanarkshire Alcohol and Drug Partnership for a period of number of referrals / income generated / debt advice provided / financial education 4 Poverty Awareness Sessions Bespoke poverty awareness sessions for council, NHS and third sector partners Number of people attending the sessions and ultimately the number of referrals this leads to The Plan for North Lan Resilient People n/a 328 staff attended poverty awareness sessions (health/education/CLD /social work/nqsw/ NLADP/ One Parent families/NL Disability Forum 586 staff attended poverty awareness sessions (swf, jusrice, prob teachers, numeracy coaches, school staff, social work with Turning Point, Xavarian Fathers and Barnardos 620 staff attended poverty awareness sessions - NQSW, social work staff, Barnardos, Carers Together, NLADP and education onggoing ongoing TP Strategy and LCPAR The Tackling Poverty Team number of sessions delivered / number of people attending / referrals following the training 4a Development of Digital Poverty Awareness Sessions To make poverty awareness available to the wider audience, a digital platform will be created. Discussions to take place with the Council to give this a mandatory status completion of the programme The Plan for North Lan Resilient People n/a n/a Training group within Tackling Poverty identified The council is moving to a new platform - we are not able to proceed until this is in situ. Jun-26 Ongoing TP Strategy and LCPAR The Tackling Poverty Team Learning & Development completion of progrmame / launch of programme / number of sessions completed 5 Community Benefits To increase the number of tackling poverty interventions / fair work interventions within community benefits improve the economic, social or environmental well-being of our communities The Plan for North Lan transforming places Recent figures show the local economy continues to grow, reflecting a positive position in North Lanarkshire compared to a negative growth position locally, however, moving forward we must see more tackling poverty related interventions within community benefits no update available *£3.8 million of funding managed through the Programme *44,500 unique individuals supported through community solution funds *13,000 activities delivered The Policy and Strategy Committee in March 2026, approveed the Social Value Framework which sets out North Lanarkshire Council’s renewed and strengthened approach to embedding social value across procurement, partnership working and service delivery. At the heart of the Framework, is delivery of The Plan for North Lanarkshire, ensuring that public expenditure does more than secure goods and services – it actively contributes to improving lives, tackling persistent inequalities, strengthening community resilience, and building a fairer, more sustainable local economy. It responds to the needs of communities across North Lanarkshire, including future jobs and apprenticeships for our young people; opportunities for well-paid and secure employment and progression; funding for skills; support for community improvements and educational attainment. ongoing ongoing TP Strategy Only Enterprise and Communities Number of Tackling Poverty Interventions 6 Community Solutions Programme Wide ranging community supports provided by Community and Voluntary Sector organisations to support residents wellbeing including those in poverty or at risk of poverty including; food, mental health and wellbeing improved wellbeing Community Solutions Strategy and Investment Plan 2023 and HSCNL Commissioning Plan 2023 - 26 Resilient People n/a no update available 5308 children and young people supported (VANL) 7280 children and young people supported (VANL) ongoing ongoing TP Strategy and LCPAR VANL Learning and impact reports 7 Financial Education (Adults) The Multiply Project is a government initiative helping adults to improve their numeracy skills, people can access numeracy qualifications with the access of the Community Learning and Development Service and will be able to access financial education from the Tackling Poverty Team. people develop the knowledge, skills and attitudes needed to manage money well and make informed decisions. The Plan for North Lan Resilient People start up and development 119 sessions delivered 420 people attended 77 sessions delivered 558 people attended 123 topics covered 240 sessions delivered to 130 groups - with 1000 people attending Project ends March 2025 On going TP Strategy and LCPAR The Tackling Poverty Team number of courses delivered / number of attendees 8 Financial Education (children and young people) Following the "three questions" delivery of a revamped financial education for the primary children the younger children asked for financial educaiton - the programme will ensure that we meet the needs and requests of our children The Plan for North Lan Resilient People n/a *Audit of financial educaiton activity in schools *Discussions with Scotland's Financial Schools re delivery Scotlands Financial Schools have delivered within schools, NLC To Develop own training pack Scotlands Financial Schools have delivered within schools, NLC To Develop own training pack Ongoing Ongoing TP Strategy and LCPAR The Tackling Poverty Team number of sessions completed in schools Number of young people who attend the sessions 9 Community Boards to support the tackling poverty agenda Through tackling poverty awareness sessions and delivery of the councils tackling poverty agenda the community boards will support the Strategy Those representing communities understand their roles and responsibilities in raising awareness of key poverty messages, challenging stigma The Plan for North Lanarkshire Resilient People Tackling Poverty on agendas of community boards pilot focussed sessions in Coatbridge - in discussion - if successful will continue role out Provided via LOIP Poverty Subgroups Provided via LOIP Poverty Subgroups Ongoing Ongoing TP Strategy and LCPAR Local Planning Partnership Teams Community Board Sub Groups Reports 10 Continuation of the Three Questions Programme including cost of the school day documents for each cluster The Three Questions Programme to be completed in all schools. Tacking Poverty Team to work with each cluster to produce Cost of the School Day unique to them All schools will have carried out the Three Questions, with the childrens voices heard and reflected in the cost of the school day document The Plan For North Lanarkshire Resilent People / Brighter futures n/a 23 schools completed all mainstream schools completed all mainstream schools completed - 118 schools have taken part, 3550 pupils took part with 20,036 responses Three questions - ongoing Cost of the school day - June 2026 Ongoing TP Strategy and LCPAR Education, Tackling Poverty Team number of schools complted The Three Questions each cluster has a cost of the school day document that is accessible for to the full school community Tackling Poverty Final Action Plan 2023 - 26 HOLISTIC SUPPORTS Page 28 of 116
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Number Action Brief Description How We Measure Success Links to Other Strategies Link to Programme Of Work 2022/23 Baseline 2023/24 Outcomes 2024/25 Outcomes 2025/26 Outcomes Timescales Status Identify if applies to TPS &/or LCPAR Lead Team Monitoring Information HOLISTIC SUPPORTS 11 Fairer Futures Project Tackling child poverty focussing on children with ASN, working in collaboration with Carers Toghether and Early Years Ensuring families with ASN children receive early intervention services via whole family support and tackling poverty The Plan For North Lanarkshire Resilient People n/a n/a Project launched late 2025 47 families referred to the welfare rights service project ends June 2026 Ongoing TP Strategy and LCPAR Carers Together, Children and Families, Early Years, Tackling Poverty Team Number of families assisted Page 29 of 116
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#itstartswithabenefitcheck Appendix 2 Page 30 of 116
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#itstartswithabenefitcheck North Lanarkshire Council Tackling Poverty Strategy Towards A Fairer North Lanarkshire – 2023 - 2026 Page 31 of 116
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Tackling Poverty Strategy – Traffic Light Measures #itstartswithabenefitcheck Task has not started yet or there may be a change in direction – please provide reasons Task continues to have on going work Task is now working as per the Strategy Task completed or task has now been completed and no longer on the action plan Page 32 of 116
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#itstartswithabenefitcheck Reduce The Cost of Living Page 33 of 116
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#itstartswithabenefitcheck Reduce the Cost of Living The Action Did we Achieve it? Action 1: Increase uptake of school clothing grants Action 2: Increase Uptake of Free School Meals 36, 590 clothing grants awarded over the lifetime of the Strategy 11,864 11,942 12,784 2023/24 2024/25 2025/26 Grants Awarded 10,401 10,743 10,621 2023/24 2024/25 2025/26 Free School Meals awards 31,765 Free School Meal Awards made over the lifetime of the Strategy Page 34 of 116
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Reduce the Cost of Living The Action Did we Achieve it? Action 2 (cont’d): Free School Meals – School Holiday Meal Vouchers Action 3: Increase uptake of Education Maintenance Allowance The number of applications has dropped by 12% since 2023 (1,537 claims) to 1,348 in 2025- 26 The percentage of claims resulting in an award made has also decreased from 61.41% in 2023/24 to 57.10% 2024/25. The latest figures reported for 2025-26 show 745 Awards Approved and 252 Rejected Applications TPT, Legal Services and DWP re possible change of data use to allow possible recipients to be identified Concise messaging and communications campaign, so that applicants have a clear indication of financial thresholds for qualification and how to submit evidence required £4,496,503 in school holiday meal vouchers paid out over the lifetime of the strategy 1,497,503 1,499,000 1,500,000 2023/24 2024/25 2025/26 Value of Vouchers paid Page 35 of 116
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Reduce the Cost of Living The Action Did we Achieve it? What’s next for new Strategy Action 5: Increase take up of Free School Meals in Situ Measures to improve take up… Marketing Initiatives – giving a packed lunch home to show parents & children what can be supplied Engagement with children and parents as early as possible Catering staff involvement has proven beneficial Survey currently being undertaken with parents on ways to increase take up Increased publicity re Free School Meals 59.5 60.6 63.7 43 43 40 0 20 40 60 80 2023-24 2024-25 2025-26 Free School Meal take up in Secondary Schools % Scot Av NLC 64 66 63 66.7 58.4 57 50 55 60 65 70 2023-24 2024-25 2025-26 Free School Meal take up in Primary Schools % NLC Scot Av Page 36 of 116
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#itstartswithabenefitcheck Reduce the Cost of Living The Action Did We Achieve This? Action 16: Free Transport for under 22’s 82% of all under 22’s in North Lanarkshire have taken up their free travel card 85, 306 cards issued in total Action 19: Address Period Poverty 3,196,863 period products distributed throughout the lifetime of the strategy Action 21: Community Justice Tackling Poverty New action. 2024- 25* 2876 hours of work completed in allotments, 173 baskets of fresh produce, 2,300 eggs, 104 emergency food parcels. 193 draught excluders. 554 items constructed in wood workshop and utilised in outdoor classrooms * 2025-26 end of year figures unavailable till end of reporting period Page 37 of 116
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The Action Did We Achieve This? What’s Next For The New Strategy? Action 20: Support People to stop smoking to reduce outgoings Over the course of 2022- 2025 there were 35 successful 12 week quit attempts from pregnant women and 3 from partners/family members *(Published and validated data for April 2025- March 2026 is not expected until October 2026) service redesign to the “Quit Your Way” pregnancy service has increased capacity increase visibility and face to face sessions with pregnant women and families in the community health improvement practitioners to offer women face to face appointments alongside antenatal appointments Pregnant women and their families will remain a priority, however, the action will be expanded to encompass the general population TPOAG cost of living subgroup including NHSL will complete assessment and recommendations on this action Reduce the Cost of Living Page 38 of 116
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#itstartswithabenefitcheck Reduce the Cost of Living The Action Did we Achieve it? Action 22: Rent Assistance Fund Action 23: Universal Credit Assistance Fund 1,809 rent assistance awards made over the lifetime of the Strategy 1,050 671 88 2023/24 2024/25 2025/26 Rent Assistance Awards 1,908 3,928 3,414 2023/24 2024/25 2025/26 Universal Credit Assistance Awards 9,250 Universal Assistance Awards made over the lifetime of the Strategy Page 39 of 116
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#itstartswithabenefitcheck Reduce the cost of living – fuel poverty & energy efficiency Action 6: Fuel Poverty 376 people assisted by NLEAS 23-24 6, 733 people assisted by CAB energy project £1, 460, 258m in energy debt dealt with by CAB energy project Action 7: Improved Energy Efficiency in NLC Housing Stock 99.5% of NLC Housing Stock is Energy Performance Certified as D or above Noncompliant properties due to no access will be resolved during further visits or if the property becomes void Action 12: Improve Energy Efficiency in Owner Occupied homes £2.9m of Energy Efficient Scotland Funding In the last 3 years the council has invested £5.5m in the homes of private homeowners and eligible landlords to install external wall insulation and Solar PV panels Action 15: Support Home Owners to maintain their homes (within mixed tenure blocks) 24 owner occupiers with homes within mixed tenure blocks assisted with grants for home improvements including roofing and controlled door entry systems. Total spend £68, 730 Page 40 of 116
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#itstartswithabenefitcheck Reduce the cost of living – Affordable Homes Action 9:New Affordable Homes by NLC 642 new build completed plus 333 OMPS giving a total of 975 new homes current house building programme was increased to 6,000 homes by 2035 Action 10: New Affordable homes in partnership 538 new build homes delivered in partnership with Registered Social Landlords over the lifetime of the strategy Action 13: Support Homeowners to adapt their homes 487 Disabled adaptations grants carried out over first two years of the Strategy *2025-26 figures unavailable until end of reporting period “I am thoroughly enjoying my new home and love how friendly the neighbours are. I moved from an upstairs cottage flat in Motherwell to a ground level wheelchair accessible flat which is perfect and helps with my mobility.” NLC New Tenant 17th April 2025 Page 41 of 116
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Reduce the cost of living – Financial Resilience Action 8: Debt Advice Over the lifetime of the Strategy…. NLC Debt Advice received 6,193 referrals CAB received 10,271 referrals £15,096,308m of Debt dealt with by NLC Debt Advice £12,740, 913m of Debt dealt with by CAB Network Early Intervention approach to NLC Rent Arrears Debt Advice service more closely aligned to NLC Housing Service For the New Strategy: Refresh and Refocus early intervention within NLC Housing Develop Initial work with Private Landlords Work with NLC Revenues & Benefits re Council Tax Arrears Action 7: Affordable Credit 12 affiliated Credit Unions for those living or working in North Lanarkshire 23,452 adult members * 1,798 junior members 26,156,019 current loans for North Lanarkshire Members 59 affordable credit sessions delivered by Sum it Up Debt Advisers with 547 people attending * Membership fluctuates but across the board both savings and loans are increasing For the New Strategy: Work with employers re salary sacrifice Cost of Living subgroup to take forward this work Page 42 of 116
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#itstartswithabenefitcheck Increasing Income Via Employment Page 43 of 116
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#itstartswithabenefitcheck Income From Employment – Real Living Wage & Real Living Hours The Action Did we Achieve it? For the New Strategy Action 1: Living Wage 151 real living wage employers in North Lanarkshire 7,634 employees have received a wage uplift as a result 21 new accreditations 2025/26 Continue work with Living Hours Campaign body through Pan Lanarkshire Living Wage Working Group Employer event planned for April 2026 Council’s existing interface with business to generate new accreditations Maximise use of accreditation subsidy available to employers Action 8: Living Hours 8 Real Living hours employers in North Lanarkshire 19478 Employees have benefitted from Real Living Hours* * One employer is SSE with 19000 employees Page 44 of 116
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#itstartswithabenefitcheck 520, 23% 138, 6% 1000, 45% 25, 1% 548, 25% People into Employment - 2000 people into employment in NL Working for Families Working for Families - self employment No one Left Behind NLC Pathways Supported Enterprise Income From Employment Page 45 of 116
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#itstartswithabenefitcheck Income From Employment The Action Did we Achieve it? For the New Strategy Action 3: Working For Families WFF delivered through Scottish Government funding, with grants paid to employability providers employability support delivered by a diverse range of providers £508,186 WFF funding for 2026-27 3rd Sector 80 placements over rolling year. 12 months paid placements Action 6: No one Left Behind NOLB funded through Scottish Government Funding 14 Employability Providers All ages of economically inactive Focus on Adults with Disability, long term conditions and mental health issues, disengaged young people £1, 223, 679 NOLB funding for 2026- 27 Page 46 of 116
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#itstartswithabenefitcheck Income From Employment The Action Did we Achieve it? For the New Strategy Action 10: Identify Pathways within labour market growth areas 410 people engaged. 35 people gained employment. 513 people supported to complete training or gained a qualification (Built env and care academies). 25 people accessed basic skills courses (Digital academy) UK Shared Prosperity Funding ended on 31 March 2026, reducing capacity Built Environment Academy under development and will deliver an innovative model of built-environment skills, maximising opportunities from council procurement, wider public-sector contracts and sector growth, achieving strong social and economic impact across North Lanarkshire Targeted to economically inactive groups and geographic areas Monitoring of economic status of those engaging Page 47 of 116
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Income From Employment The Action Did we Achieve it? For the New Strategy Action 11: Supported Enterprise 668 people engaged with the service over the lifetime of the strategy 206 people into employment over the lifetime of the Strategy High levels of job sustainment amongst the most vulnerable groups including disabled, ASN and Care experienced young people A key lesson learned is early engagement with families is vital to the success of the project Collaborating with schools, council service and welfare rights officers is essential to ensure that families receive the support they need to maximise their income and to maintain a collaborative approach. Action 12: Entrepreneurship, self employment and the Business birth rate *New Action from 2024 1,000 business start up enquiries 325 Business Start ups achieved 8.4% of working age population in NL are in self employment 51.5% Business Survival rate 549 women registered with the HIVE Business Start up boot camps to be expanded Routes to self employment pilot with Routes to Work to expand Business Start up grant up to £3k Page 48 of 116
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#itstartswithabenefitcheck Increasing Income Via Social Security Benefits Page 49 of 116
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#itstartswithabenefitcheck Increase Income Via Social Security Tackling Poverty Team & Council Services Food Poverty Health External Services Welfare Reform The Tackling Poverty Team and other council services to continue to maximise the income of the residents of North Lanarkshire Food Poverty Referral Gateway Health Staff refer to income maximisation and debt advice services Commissioned Services – Income Maximisation via Benefit Take Up Welfare Reform Group Work with all social work services to ensure income maximisation is carried out for all vulnerable client groups Food Poverty Action Group GP Practices – Improvement Service Project MacMillan Advice Service Relaunch Health Visitor and District Nurse Referral Pathway Welfare Rights Officer – ASN schools GP Community Link Worker Programme Work with the community and services to encourage challenges to benefit decisions Page 50 of 116
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#itstartswithabenefitcheck Increase Income Via Social Security – Council Services Maximise Income For Residents The volume of referrals continues to average over 1000 per month to the Tackling Poverty Team (March 2026 – is based on an average figure), the nature of the referrals has grown more complex due to migration from legacy benefits to Universal Credits. Income From Social Security – Actions 1,2,3,12 During the Tackling Poverty Strategy – Toward a Fairer North Lanarkshire 2023-26, the Tackling Poverty Team have received 45,725 referrals Page 51 of 116
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#itstartswithabenefitcheck Increase Income Via Social Security – Council Services Maximise Income For Residents In North Lanarkshire we recognise that ensuring people’s income is fully maximised is the first step to tackling poverty and inequality. #itstartswithabenefitcheck “I am eternally grateful for the help your service provided me, you have no idea the difference this has made to me “ Through the lifetime of the Tackling Poverty Strategy – Towards a Fairer North Lanarkshire 2023- 26. Action Points under Income From Social Security Benefits have generated £148,429,009m* in additional income for the residents of North Lanarkshire. “You have taken a lot of worry, anxiety and stress from me…..I am now in a position where I do not need to worry about money as much” Income From Social Security – Actions 1,2,3,12 Page 52 of 116
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#itstartswithabenefitcheck Increase Income Via Social Security – Council Services Maximise Income For Residents Looking Forward To Tackling Poverty Strategy 2026 - 2031 Income From Social Security – Actions 1,2,3,12 Action Description 2026 -31 1 The Tackling Poverty Team and other council services to continue to maximise the income of residents in North Lanarkshire The TPT will continue to work with resident of NL 2 Work with all social work services to ensure income maximisation is carried out for all vulnerable client groups The TPT will continue to work with all social work services 3 MacMillan Advice Service Funding has been secured for a further 2 years to provide this service 12 Dedicated Welfare Rights Officer – Additional Support Needs Post is dependent upon funding from Education to continue 13 Work with the community and services to encourage challenges to benefit decisions via Mandatory Reconsiderations and Appeals The TPT will continue to work with resident of NL As we look toward the new Strategy other opportunities and developments under the driver Increasing Income Via Social Security will be added to the Action Plan. Page 53 of 116
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#itstartswithabenefitcheck Increase Income Via Social Security – Food Poverty Income From Social Security – Actions 4 and 5 The Action Did We Achieve This? What’s Next For The New Strategy? Action 4 - Mitigate the need for foodbank use by ensuring access to advice services and claims to crisis grants The Team continue to promote a Cash First approach to tackling food poverty. We are able to report that in the first 2 years of the Strategy, £3.3m in additional income was generated for those seeking support in this area. Continue to promote the Cash First approach to tackling food poverty with our partners. Action 5 - Uniform recording across all emergency food providers. This was not universally achieved, 7 of the 21 emergency food providers sporadically provided data. The revised sub-groups from the Tackling Poverty Officers Action Group will revisit this area The council provided one year funding which will be invested in being able to continue to deliver and develop the Cash First Approach in relation to food, fuel and other essentials Page 54 of 116
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#itstartswithabenefitcheck Increase Income Via Social Security – Health There were a number of areas within the 2023-26 Tackling Poverty Strategy where working with our partners in NHS Lanarkshire, we were able to create referral pathways, provide support to NHS staff and ensure the No Wrong Door approach to tackling poverty. The Action Did We Achieve This? Action 7 – Health Staff refer to income maximisation and debt advice services Action 8 – Improvement Service Project – GP Practices The project has proven to be very successful, with 1498 patients referred in the last 2 years, generating over £4m in additional income Action 9 – Relaunch Health Visitor & District Nurse Referral Pathway Following Poverty Awareness Training referrals have increased from 119 in 2023/24 to 285 in 2025/26 Action 10 – GP Community Link Worker Programme 1174 referrals were received by TPT from 2023-25. NHSL withdrew funding from the TPT from this project in March 2025. 591 1044 1719 REFERRALS 2023/24 REFERRALS 2024/25 REFERRALS 2025/26 Health Page 55 of 116
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#itstartswithabenefitcheck Increase Income Via Social Security – Health Looking Forward To Tackling Poverty Strategy 2026 - 2031 Discussion around funding are scheduled to take place in June 2026 with the Integrated Joint Board, in attempt to ensure vital referral routes remain in situ for NHS Lanarkshire patients Improvement Service funding has been reduced for this post. Presentations were made to the GP practices where the WRO was placed to consider partial funding for the post, however, this was not an option Two year funding secured from Scottish Government to carry out joint work with pharmacies in Bellshill locality, specifically around tackling child poverty Page 56 of 116
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#itstartswithabenefitcheck Increase Income Via Social Security – Welfare Reform Action 6 - Welfare Reform Group – The welfare reform group to ensure services, elected members etc are kept fully abreast of welfare reform changes and their impact on our communities. Did We Achieve This? What’s Next For The New Strategy? Animations have been produced to inform the public of the impact of imminent changes and how to access support around these North Lanarkshire Advice Network (NLAN) promoting advice around managed migration the biggest change to the social security system since 2003 to ensure residents income is maximised NLAN event to promote the work ongoing across all partners in North Lanarkshire Elected Members information pack produced and circulated .Elected Members Briefing Pack - Elected Members Briefing Pack Following refresh of the Tackling Poverty Subgroups, welfare reform and its impacts will be considered and reported on through a newly refreshed group The welfare reform subgroup will work closely with Communications to ensure changes are communicated to the public Page 57 of 116
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Income From Social Security – Commissioned Services #itstartswithabenefitcheck The Council commission information and advice services from the Third Sector to ensure that residents have access from both council services and the Third Sector. The Citizens Advice Bureaux in each of North Lanarkshire’s main towns were successful in the 2025-2027 procurement bids. Did We Achieve This? What’s Next For The New Strategy? Action 11 - The commissioned services have generated £23,485,451m in additional benefit income for the residents of North Lanarkshire Council. It should be noted that the Strategy only reports on income generated via Council funding streams The council will be launching a procurement exercise in 2026 for two year funding for the external provision of debt advice and welfare rights services at Type I and II respectively Page 58 of 116
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#itstartswithabenefitcheck Holistic Supports Page 59 of 116
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Holistic Supports #itstartswithabenefitcheck Holistic Supports reflect that poverty is rarely caused by a single issue. Instead of offering isolated interventions, holistic supports brings together financial, social, emotional, health and community based assistance in a co-ordinated way. Page 60 of 116
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Holistic Supports – Sustain Tenancies #itstartswithabenefitcheck Did We Achieve This? What’s Next For The New Strategy? Action One - Deliver financial advice and assistance via income maximisers (housing). The current measure for this within the Strategy is income maximisation in the first two years of the Strategy housing staff generated £38.9m for their tenants. Reporting issues currently do not allow for reporting in 2025/26 Tenancy sustainment is fundamental in tackling poverty and inequality. It ensures that individuals and families can successfully maintain safe, secure and affordable housing. Securing and maintaining accommodation is a key to tackling poverty and inequality The measurement around Tenancy Sustainment has to be expanded to include other work carried out, together with successful tenancy sustainment Page 61 of 116
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Holistic Supports – Whole Family Support #itstartswithabenefitcheck Did We Achieve This? What’s Next For The New Strategy? Action Two – Whole Family Support was introduced during the lifetime of the Tackling Poverty Strategy, with Barnardo’s Families Here and Now Service (FHANS) being awarded the contract in June 2024. From June 2024 to the end of the Strategy the FHANS have provided support and assistance to over 850 families. Barnardo’s staff have received bespoke Poverty Awareness Training, work in partnership with the council in relation to the Cash First approach and have a referral route into the Tackling Poverty Team. The Whole Family Support model embodies a holistic approach to tackling child poverty in North Lanarkshire. WFS ensures that children, young people and their families get the right help, at the right time, for as long as needed with support wrapped holistically around the entire family rather than individuals. The 2026-31 Tackling Poverty Strategy will embrace and expand the Whole Family Support approach recognising that poverty rarely affects just one aspect of a person’s life, its causes and impacts are inter- connected across the entire family. Page 62 of 116
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Holistic Supports – Arrest / Referral Service #itstartswithabenefitcheck Did We Achieve This? What’s Next For The New Strategy? Action Three – Meetings were held to discuss the project and referral routes. Information leaflets were provided, however, the Tackling Poverty Team received no referrals The Arrest /Referral Service was designed to provide support to individuals following arrest focussing on providing support and resources to individuals facing financial hardship. The intention behind this was to help people with services such as; income maximisation, employment etc to avoid further criminal involvement This is an area that will be discussed as we plan the new Strategy Page 63 of 116
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Holistic Supports – Poverty Awareness #itstartswithabenefitcheck Did We Achieve This? What’s Next For The New Strategy? Action Four and Four (a) – Poverty awareness sessions have been delivered to over 1500 people from both internal and external services. Newly Qualified Social Workers and teachers have been amongst those receiving their training as part of their induction into the council. The digital training course is now in first draft format and will be ready for the launch of the new Strategy. Poverty Awareness Sessions have been designed by the Tackling Poverty Team with both general and bespoke information tailored to meet the audience. To reach a wider audience the Strategy included a digital platform The introduction of the digital training programme in line with the new Strategy will ensure that all council staff have access to the platform. The council will be asked to consider giving the training mandatory status NHSL will be asked to adopt the training to their digital platform Explore how external services can access digital training Page 64 of 116
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Holistic Supports – Community Benefits #itstartswithabenefitcheck Did We Achieve This? What’s Next For The New Strategy? Action Five – The Social Value Framework 3-year plan has recently been approved at Committee. Community Benefits in North Lanarkshire are initiatives embedded in public contracts and council projects to deliver economic, social and environmental advantages to local communities. The Tackling Poverty Strategy will reflect the Social Value Framework in both the strategy and action plan Page 65 of 116
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Holistic Supports – Community Solutions #itstartswithabenefitcheck Did We Achieve This? What’s Next For The New Strategy? Action Six – Over 12,500 children have been supported through the Community Solutions Programme Community Solutions is a successful, cross sector health and social care investment and improvement programme for North Lanarkshire. It improves people’s health, wellbeing, quality of life and is a key tool to tackling poverty and inequality. Participating organisations include University Health and Social Care North Lanarkshire, North Lanarkshire Children’s Services Partnership and Voluntary Action North Lanarkshire. Further work and exploration around community solutions is required in the new Strategy. Members of the Third Sector will be represented on the Writers Group Page 66 of 116
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Holistic Supports – Financial Education (adults, children and adults) #itstartswithabenefitcheck Did We Achieve This? What’s Next For The New Strategy? Action Seven – Financial Education (adults) – The Multiply Project has delivered 470 sessions to over 2200 people covering over 100 topics across all our communities. Action Eight – Financial Education (children and young people) Scotland’s Financial Schools have delivered sessions with schools. Financial Education is a powerful tool in tackling poverty, it gives children, young people and adults the knowledge, skills and confidence to manage their money effectively. When people understand their financial options and rights, they are better equipped to make decisions that improve stability, prevent crisis, and support long term well being. The Multiply Project is dependent upon UK Shared Prosperity funding, which may impact the delivery of this programme. NLC Education will produce their own financial education programme across both primary and secondary school. Introduction of NLC Smart Spending Challenge across both primary and secondary schools Page 67 of 116
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Holistic Supports – Community Boards #itstartswithabenefitcheck Did We Achieve This? What’s Next For The New Strategy? Action Nine – Poverty awareness sessions were delivered to the nine Boards. Across North Lanarkshire communities recognised that tackling poverty was a priority for residents and the ask of the Boards was to support the tackling poverty agenda. The council are currently carrying out a consultation exercise to gather the views of residents around the new LOIP priorities (including poverty). The new Tackling Poverty Strategy will reflect and poverty measures identified within the new Action Plan Page 68 of 116
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Holistic Supports – The Three Questions #itstartswithabenefitcheck Did We Achieve This? What’s Next For The New Strategy? Action Ten – All mainstream schools have now taken part in The Three Questions, with 3550 pupils lending their voice to 20,036 responses. The Tackling Poverty Team have began work on the Cost of the School Day documents for each school led by the children and young people’s responses. The Three Questions is the foundation of our consultation with all our communities asking; “how is the cost of living affecting you”, “how is the cost of living affecting others in the community” and “what would you like the council to do to help”. The questions are asked across all our community, however, there is a specific action with the Strategy (linking to the Local Child Poverty Action Report) to ask this question of our children and young people Each school will be visited by the Tackling Poverty Team with the basic template and the issues raised by their pupils and given the opportunity to input with their own poverty initiatives. Within the life of the new strategy, the three questions and COSD will be reviewed to ensure we are continuing to reflect the views of the current school role. Page 69 of 116
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Holistic Supports – Fairer Futures #itstartswithabenefitcheck Did We Achieve This? What’s Next For The New Strategy? Action Eleven – The Fairer Futures Project was added into the Strategy Action Plan following its launch in late 2025. Referral routes, staffing and relationships are all being built to ensure smooth progression of this project. Still in its infancy, 47 families have referred to the Tackling Poverty Team. The Fairer Futures Programme is designed to transform how services support families who are experiencing or at risk of poverty. Fairer Futures looks at delivering new, holistic approaches to ensure families receive wrap around help tailored to their needs. In North Lanarkshire the Fairer Futures Project focusses on children with additional support needs, working in collaboration with Early Years and Carers Together. The Fairer Futures Project is temporary until June 2026 – confirmation around funding will require to be sought. Build upon the work done within the current project and establish new measurements for the Strategy Action Plan which will take into account the full remit of the Project, Page 70 of 116
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#itstartswithabenefitcheck The Tackling Poverty Team tpteam@northlan.gov.uk 01698 332551 Page 71 of 116
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#itstartswithabenefitcheck The Three Questions – The Next Steps Maximising Incomes to Maximise Outcomes Page 72 of 116
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Poverty ‘Poverty means not being able to heat your home, pay your rent, or buy the essentials for your children. It means waking up every day facing insecurity, uncertainty, and impossible decisions about money. It means facing marginalisation – and even discrimination – because of your financial circumstances. The constant stress it causes can lead to problems that deprive people of the chance to play a full part in society.’ #itstartswithabenefitcheck Page 73 of 116
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The Three Questions #itstartswithabenefitcheck How does the cost of living affect you? How does the cost of living affect others in the community? What would you like the council to do to help? Page 74 of 116
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The Three Questions #itstartswithabenefitcheck 118 schools in North Lanarkshire have taken part 3550 pupils took part in The Three Questions 20,036 responses from children and young people Page 75 of 116
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The Three Questions #itstartswithabenefitcheck How is the cost of living affecting you? “my gran retired, but she has had to return to work and work long shifts, so I don’t see her as much” “I can’t get driving lessons just now, its too much for my mum and dad” “My mum is sometimes upset about the increase in bills” “food is expensive” How is the cost of living affecting others in the community? “people might not be in a good home environment” “It can bring more stress and arguments etc within the home” “Kids face peer pressure to meet standards with clothes, treats and takeaways” “more people are stealing” What would you like the council to do to help? “school meals free for everyone” “provide essentials in discreet places” “raise awareness to tackle poverty” “make financial education mandatory in schools for our future” All cluster responses available at appendix two in North Lanarkshire Local Child Poverty Action Report 2024-25 Page 76 of 116
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#itstartswithabenefitcheck Our Children Defining Poverty https://vimeo.com/892318427/91d66ad176?share=copy Our Definition North Lanarkshire’s Young People’s Voices ‘Poverty means not being able to heat your home “being told to put more clothes on rather than turn the heating up” “Im waking up cold and going to bed cold” “not being able to afford snacks” pay your rent or buy the essential for your children. “rent prices are going up” “not as much food at home” “I cant really afford as much food as I used to, I must ration and save some” It means waking up every day facing insecurity, uncertainty and impossible decisions about money. “Dad is usually out of money when he is on full pay. Im worried what will happen when he runs out of money halfway through the month” “I get anxious when I go to the shop to buy food” It means facing marginalisation – and even discrimination – because of your financial circumstances “less money is given to me for lunch, so I cant go up the street with friends” “family are unable to travel to places due to the cost of petrol” “clubs are too expensive now” The constant stress it causes can lead to problems that deprive people of the chance to play a full part in society” “money is becoming a controversial subject amongst friends” “more worry / stress for adults at home” Page 77 of 116
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Cost of the School Day #itstartswithabenefitcheck In North Lanarkshire, the Cost of the School Day encompasses our holistic approach to tackling poverty and inequality. We include the traditional drivers of increasing income from employment, reducing the cost of living and increasing income via social security, but we surround them all with our holistic approach. Our children and young people told us its not just about money to buy things – it’s about the isolation when you can’t and the impact that has on them as young people. We asked the children and young people what we could to do to help – The Cost of the School Day provides answers, ideas and solutions where we can. Page 78 of 116
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Poverty Proofing Our Schools #itstartswithabenefitcheck In North Lanarkshire we want to make sure that school is about learning, opportunities and friendships – not financial stress #lowerthecostraiseourfuture Cost of the School Day - St Aidan's - 1 Page 79 of 116
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Cost Of The School Day In Action #itstartswithabenefitcheck The Tackling Poverty Team were contacted by a Head Teacher concerned about the school meal debt in her school. Thirteen families were impacted by this, with the total debt in December 2025, amounted to £4643.80 Two families had no recourse to public funds, and the head teacher was able to write off £925.55 of debt Seven families met the criteria for free school meals, the welfare rights officers made the application and the request for backdating, this wiped out £2825.65 of school meal debt Of the seven families assisted to claim free school meals, one family qualified for council tax reduction and three families qualified for a school clothing grant Two families did not qualify for Free School Meals, however, were unaware of the £481.70 debt accrued and advised they would make arrangements to pay this back Two families failed to engage there debts amounted to £410.90 and these remain The Council wrote off £22,854.45 of school meal debt in 2024/25Page 80 of 116
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Cost Of The School Day In Action #itstartswithabenefitcheck On a family holiday Jim suffered a heart attack and a stroke, leaving him unfit for work. The family were receiving letters from council tax but were unsure what to do with them. Jim’s daughter Sophie, a secondary school pupil, tried contacting council tax to find out what they had to do, however, was not able to get through. Sophie asked a teacher in school if they would be able to support her and her family to speak to Council Tax. The teacher referred Sophie and her family to the Tackling Poverty Team. The Tackling Poverty Team identified that there were no other debts. Contacting Council Tax the Debt Advisor was able to establish that the debt had progressed and would incur 10% Summary Warrant Costs. The Debt Advisor worked with Council Tax and it was agreed the account would be taken back to billing stage, and if paid by the end of March there would be no additional costs. The Debt Advisor knowing the importance of a benefit check, asked the Income Maximiser to check Jim’s benefits. Jim was advised that he would need to provide lines to access benefits as he was unfit for work. Page 81 of 116
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Cost Of The School Day In Action #itstartswithabenefitcheck The dedicated Welfare Rights Officer within the ASN schools, contacted Amy whose son attended the school to advise on her role. Amy advised that she had all her benefits in place, as her son Caleb was in receipt of high rate care and mobility components of Child Disability Payment. The welfare rights officer advised that we always “start with a benefit check”, as Child Disability Payments can lead to additional premiums. The Welfare Rights Officer was able to advise that there were shortfalls in Amy’s income, the disabled child element and carers elements were missing from her benefits. The Welfare Rights Officer advocated on behalf of Amy, and her monthly income rose from £739.14 to £1420.69. The Welfare Rights Officer put forward the case that Amy should have these payments backdated. Amy received £14,400 backdated disabled child element as well as a £5277 carers element backdate. Amy’s total backdate was £19,677 Page 82 of 116
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Cost Of The School Day In Action #itstartswithabenefitcheck The children and young people across our schools in North Lanarkshire, identified that Financial Education was an important tool for them. Education have implemented Financial Education programmes that schools can deliver to their pupils throughout the school term. Page 83 of 116
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NL Smart Spending Challenge #itstartswithabenefitcheck skills for life, confidence for the future Page 84 of 116
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NL Smart Spending Challenge #itstartswithabenefitcheck Primary 2 – Primary 4 Challenge – “Needs Vs Wants Explorer Mission” Community Helpers Trail: Learn how groups like food banks, uniform banks, libraries, and charities help people. Pupils create a “Helping Hands Map” with ideas for supporting others (warm banks, food drives, kindness clubs, sharing libraries, etc.). Pupils investigate the difference between needs and wants, then complete a mission to help others meet their needs The groups will answer; Which needs might be harder for some families to afford? How could a community help? Sort It Activity: Groups sort them into Needs and Wants. The children are given cards or images of different items (food, tablet, heating, toys, school uniform, holiday, internet etc skills for life, confidence for the futurePage 85 of 116
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Cost of the School Day #itstartswithabenefitcheck Working with the Tackling Poverty Team every school will have a Cost of the School Day Page Tiger specific to their school Schools and Education to promote the Cost of the School Day within the cluster Schools and Education to promote Poverty Awareness Sessions and Referral Pathways to help families Tackling Poverty Team to work with schools to review Cost of the School Day on a regular basis Page 86 of 116
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Appendix 3 Date of meeting: 18/02/2026 Local Authority area: North Lanarkshire Attendees: Lizzy Hammond (PHS), Lauren Gallagher (PHS), Josephine Pravinkumar, Claire Rae, Amanda Gallagher Cairns, Jo Duffy, Karen McGuigan, John Campbell, Chris Costello. Key points of feedback for local partners (this can be taken from the last question of the SmartSurvey which directs national partners to list key points of feedback for local partners): North Lanarkshire’s year 7 LCPAR was processed by PHS and classified as an extremely strong plan which might be used as an exemplar. The report provides strong evidence that child poverty is a key priority and driving local improvement in North Lanarkshire. The governance structures and partnerships are in place for child poverty to be considered across a range of policy areas. The report shows how the local partnership is shifting to structurally embed child poverty prevention activities as a way of working (rather than pockets of good practice and short term activities) while still seeking new opportunities to target low incomes family and improve reach. Key strengths of the report included: • Strong use of data, intelligence and evidence (including lived experience) in understanding local needs and informing strategic direction and service delivery as well as improved use to monitor reach and outcomes for families. • Clear alignment of activities to the recognised drivers of child poverty with consideration to all six of the priority families. Evidence is provided that each of the three drivers is being addressed in a strategic and structural way, that focuses action on preventative approaches through income from employment and social security. Page 88 of 116
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• A clear framework for monitoring and evaluating child poverty actions and the impact on low incomes families is understood. • The training programme to support local authority, NHS, HSCP and wider partnerships’ workforce supporting low-income families that include poverty awareness and local referral pathways. There was evidence that the training has supported staff and organisations that work with priority families. • In addition to established income maximisation pathways, the report demonstrates how North Lanarkshire is expanding pathways and awareness of pathways to improve reach to low-income families. E.g. welfare rights officers in ASN schools and training provision. The overall impact of the Tackling child poverty team is demonstrated by the increasing number of benefit checks and income generated. • In addition to the employability programmes, the partnership recognises its role as anchor organisations as a major employer by describing parental employment programmes with impact measures for priority groups and in-work employment progression. A number of interesting or innovative practices were recognised in the report that included: • The engagement with children and young people on children’s rights (UNCRC) • Targeting income maximation support that includes welfare rights officers in ASN schools and providing poverty awareness training and local referral routes to social workers that is part of the service induction. • Employability as a routine enquiry – The development and expansion of employability referral pathways from health visiting to Route to Work. This has been referred to SPRIU for inclusion in the Tackling Child Poverty Directory. The report could be strengthening in considering how Early learning and childcare and out of school childcare is being considered in child poverty planning and delivery with only vague links drawn. There was not sufficient time to explore this fully as the feedback meeting due to time limitations. Page 89 of 116
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Overview of key feedback points is reproduced under the table below. No improvement areas were identified. Improvement area For local or national partner? Ongoing / New Target Date Desired Outcome s Detailed Actions Role for national / local partners in supporting this improvement - 6-month follow-up meeting to be considered if necessary. Other Observations / Comments Page 90 of 116
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North Lanarkshire Council Report Wellbeing and Tackling Poverty Committee Does this report require to be approved? ☒ Yes ☐ No Ref AG/AG Date 06/05/26 Implementation of the National Trauma Framework in North Lanarkshire From Alison Gordon, Chief Social Work Officer (Education and Families, Justice and Integrated Practice) E-mail GordonAl@northlan.gov.uk 1. Background 1.1 As highlighted to previous Committees, in 2018 the Scottish Government established a National Trauma Training Programme, led by NHS Education for Scotland (NES) to support an ambition, agreed with COSLA, to create a trauma-informed and trauma- Executive Summary This report updates Committee on progress made in implementing the National Trauma Training Programme and embedding the principles of trauma informed practice (TIP) across all services. This work delivers on the Council’s 2023 commitment to the national Leadership Pledge and is a core driver within the Programme of Work 2023–2028, supporting improved outcomes for children, young people, adults, families and staff. Implementation is being delivered through a structured plan centred on the nationally recognised drivers of trauma-informed systems: leadership, workforce wellbeing, knowledge and skills, experts by experience, and data and feedback loops. Recommendations It is recommended that the Wellbeing and Tackling Poverty Committee: (1) Endorse the approach to the implementation of Trauma Informed Practice across the Council as set out in this report. The Plan for North Lanarkshire Priority Support all children and young people to realise their full potential Ambition statement (9) Invest in early interventions, positive transitions, and preventative approaches to improve outcomes for children and young people Programme of Work Resilient People Item 3 Page 91 of 116
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responsive workforce across Scotland. The main aims of the programme are to support public bodies create the conditions for the workforce to work in a trauma-informed way. This is reflected in 5 key drivers for Trauma Informed Practice: 1. Leadership and management 2. Workforce wellbeing 3. Workforce knowledge and skills 4. Experts by experience 5. Data and feedback loops 1.2 Being trauma informed means being alert to the prevalence of trauma and making adjustments to how we work to take trauma into account and support recovery. It is rooted in 5 key principles: Choice, Collaboration, Trust, Safety and Empowerment which should be applied organisationally as well as in individual practice (see Appendix A). In a trauma informed organisation, services promote safety and trust to prevent re- traumatisation, improving the experienced and outcomes of people using services. 1.3 In 2023 the Wellbeing and Tackling Poverty Committee agreed to North Lanarkshire Council signing the national Leadership Pledge of Support for the creation of a trauma informed workforce. To deliver on this pledge, the creation of a trauma-informed workforce was incorporated into the council’s Programme of Work overseen by the Resilient People Board. Becoming trauma informed is transformative in the way services are organised and delivered and as such it is an important driver of success for the delivery of the wider ambitions of the Programme of Work 2023-2028. 1.4 A steering group, reporting to the Resilient People Board has created an implementation plan which focuses on the key drivers noted in paragraph 1:1 and, as such, reflects the importance of leadership and the wellbeing of the workforce. This report highlights the progress in the delivery of this plan. 2. Report 2.1. The pace of implementation is determined by service priorities and readiness to engage with the learning and culture change required in becoming trauma informed. The following information illustrates some of the work being undertaken across different services within the council. It is not exhaustive but designed to demonstrate how the principles of trauma informed practice underpin improvements to our day-to-day interactions with the people we support and serve. Training and development 2.2 The Talent and Organisational Development team has continued to progress its commitment to ensuring all staff receive Trauma Informed Practice training appropriate to their role. Since the previous update for members, a dedicated page has been created on my NL to access all resources related to being a trauma informed organisation – Trauma Informed Practice – My NL 2.3 The introductory Learn NL module continues to be an effective entry-level resource, with completion rates continuing to increase. Due to the sensitive content, the module is not mandatory; however, it is strongly recommended. Leaders and line managers are expected to plan the most appropriate time to introduce the e-learning module in line with service developments and provide support as needed. This approach will be complemented by promotion through communications such as the Chief Executive’s Newsletter and monitoring of uptake. Current uptake is outlined below: Page 92 of 116
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Service Completions % of expected staff completing e-learning module Chief Executives 300 31% Adult Health and Social Care 1190 56% Enterprise & Communities 1543 71% Education and Families 1798 23% (lower percentage based on all staff in the service being in scope and specific education resources being used as alternative in some instances) 2.4 Several services have now completed the Training Needs Analysis tool (TNA), which supports staff in identifying the appropriate training level for their role. Housing has fully completed the TNA, with rollout underway in Active & Creative Communities. Education & Families are progressing their own rollout with support from their Education Support Officer for Wellbeing. Within Chief Executive Services, the People Resources TNA has been completed, and all other divisions remain on track for completion by August 2026. 2.5 Trauma-informed principles are now embedded throughout leadership programmes, with clear links from the Leadership Academy resources on Learn NL to relevant trauma-informed training materials. 2.6 A development session with the Trauma steering group was held in September 2025 to refresh the implementation plan and agree future priorities. TOD facilitated the session using elements of Appreciative Inquiry, supporting the group to revisit its vision, identify key ongoing activities, and establish an action plan. 2.7 Enhanced support for leaders in operationalising Trauma informed practice was identified as a specific theme. The lead officer for trauma has worked alongside colleagues from Talent and Organisational Development to develop pathways for operational leadership to help them consider the expectations on them in their role as managers. Resources for managers have been developed, and this includes guidance for managers in carrying out a ‘trauma walk through’ to help evaluate what changes or improvements teams or services should make to integrate trauma principles in daily work/practice. Strengthening how services, partners and third sector work together to deliver community supports 2.8 The principles of trauma design continue to inform the development of our community hub programme and implementation of our operating model to improve the experiences of families. Services and partners have been working together to co-locate and share use of space within community hubs with the aim of providing a more joined up offer for local people when they attend for appointments or activities. When teams share the same physical space, communication becomes easier and faster, reducing the risk of people having to repeat their stories—something that can be retraumatising. Feedback Page 93 of 116
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from staff has shown that working together in the hubs has helped to create trusting relationships across agencies, enabling a ‘warm handover’ approach rather than referral processes that feel fragmented or impersonal. 2.9 For individuals affected by trauma, being supported in one familiar, safe and welcoming setting reduces anxiety and increases engagement. Staff benefit from shared learning, joint problem solving, and a more holistic understanding of a person’s needs, allowing them to respond with empathy, consistency and flexibility. This is reflected in the videos within the links at Appendix B, reflecting how the community hub environment enables this. These videos will be part of a refreshed communications campaign later in the year. 2.10 Integrated service delivery from community hubs will continue to expand over the course of this year with NHS neurodevelopmental and other services, education, Housing, CLD, Tackling Poverty and third sector organisations working to ensure families receive a more trauma informed service from one place. Improving the physical environment within community hubs 2.11 The Chryston Community Hub Healing Art Project brought together local young people to co-create meaningful, trauma-informed artwork to enhance the feeling of shared community spaces within the hub. The project resulted in uplifting visual pieces for the hub environment and supported young people to build confidence, develop new skills and contribute to a shared sense of ownership and healing within their local community. Feedback from partner agencies has been very positive around how welcoming the spaces now feel. 2.12 Following a number of community hub ‘walk throughs’ it was highlighted that better use of digital resources could be applied to signpost information and local supports. Digital information screens have been installed at all community hubs within the main reception areas and within the health clinic at Chryston, with digital meeting room display panels being installed later this year. Improved signage and privacy screening is being implemented across all community hubs to help minimise the stress or anxiety that may be experienced when people attend for appointments or activities to improve wayfaring and confidentiality. This includes colour contrasting and appropriate use of braille for people with sight impairments, and mobile hearing loops systems are now readily available for those with hearing impairments. Community Partnership 2.13 Work is underway to identify actions to embed trauma informed approaches into the work of the Community Partnership Team. Initial work has resulted in a Trauma Informed Guide being developed and embedded in the LOIP Review and the Community Engagement Toolkit. Community Partnership staff worked collaboratively with the lead officer for trauma informed practice to develop this guide which prioritises support for citizens using services and staff wellbeing when potentially working with trauma. The guide recognises that whilst trauma is everyone’s business, not everyone will be a trauma specialist. Signposting to appropriate services is crucial for individuals and communities seeking recovery support. Details on the attached link: Community Engagement Toolkit | Genially Housing 2.14 During 2025-2026, the Housing Service continued to make steady progress in embedding trauma informed practice across prevention, homelessness and tenancy Page 94 of 116
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management activities. Building on the strong foundation laid in 2024-25, the service advanced its workforce development programme through ongoing use of the Training Needs Analysis and expanded access to the Level 1 (Informed) and Level 2 (Skilled) learning pathways. To date, 345 staff have completed Level 1 Awareness training, 71 staff have undertaken the “Transforming Connections Training Programme”, and 81 Housing staff have completed Trauma Skilled Level Module 1, further strengthening skilled-level capacity across frontline roles. Staff feedback has continued to inform programme development, with officers reporting increased understanding of trauma and improved confidence in responding sensitively during homelessness assessments, case reviews and tenancy related interactions. 2.15 Progress was also made on trauma-informed service redesign commitments identified in 2024-2025. The conclusion of the review of commissioned housing support embedded trauma-informed principles within the redesigned service model and informed the approach to recommissioning, ensuring trauma-informed practice was a key feature of bid submissions and is now at the forefront of delivery within new contracts commencing on 1 August 2025. Alongside this, the restructuring of frontline provision aligned operational arrangements, reception environments and customer pathways with trauma-informed principles and strengthened safer staffing approaches, ensuring teams were organised in a way that promotes psychological safety, consistency and improved capacity to deliver trauma-aware interactions across homelessness and tenancy-related services. The service also remains on track to complete the refurbishment of Drummond Drive retirement complex in April 2026, the second complex to undergo refurbishment aligned to dementia and trauma-informed design principles, further enhancing psychologically safe and accessible environments for residents. 2.16 Partnership working remained central to strengthening trauma-responsive practice, with enhanced collaboration across the RSL Housing Domestic Abuse Forum and expanded trauma-informed content in the Housing Domestic Abuse Digital Directory. The Year 1 progress update of the Homelessness Action Plan (HAP) 2025-28 further reinforced trauma-informed practice as a core strategic principle, aligning Housing with the national Housing Emergency Action Plan and new statutory prevention duties. This framework continues to support early-intervention, trauma-aware approaches across housing options, assessment and support pathways. 2.17 Looking ahead, the service will embed trauma informed principles into forthcoming policy reviews to ensure future approaches to arrears, allocations, tenancy management and homelessness prevention reflect best practice in psychologically safe, inclusive and trauma responsive service design. Social Work Services 2.18 Across social work services with adults there has been a sustained commitment to embedding trauma informed practice across strategic planning, policies and operational processes. The principles of trauma informed practice have been integrated with its work on the new Engagement and Participation Strategy, delivery of person- centred care in alignment with Getting It Right For Everyone principles and the promotion of staff wellbeing alongside training opportunities. 2.19 Trauma informed practice informs core training for staff on Dementia, Adult Support and Protection and Assessment and Planning. ‘Bite-size’ sessions delivered by the Adult Protection Committee clearly highlight and address the complexity of trauma and how trauma informed practice is pertinent to support and protect adults at risk. Page 95 of 116
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2.20 To sustain workforce confidence in trauma informed practice, it is recognised that it must be embedded in everyday activities. To help achieve this, all localities have had a weekly multi-agency meeting to discuss requests for assistance, share information and expertise where staff use the trauma principles. Following a successful pilot in one locality in October 2025, these meetings are now held daily in every locality. These shared-responsibility forums optimise local knowledge to respond quickly to requests for assistance. This model supports efficient, person-centred integrated working with trauma-informed principles at its core. 2.21 Within Child Protection and Adult Protection, trauma informed principles are explicitly embedded within the procedures, guidance and training. There is an awareness of the impact this work can have on staff wellbeing with bespoke sessions offered if appropriate to staff where they have experienced particularly challenging or distressing events. The approach which has been adopted for Learning Reviews by the Child Protection and Adult Protection Committees focuses on psychological safety and trauma with the changes introduced to include psychological support, ensuring discussions are held face to face and employs a systems approach to promote organisational learning. 2.22 In 2025 our lead officer for trauma delivered briefing to Self-Directed Support providers to increase understanding of trauma informed approaches and how they contribute to improving outcomes. Using a cascading approach the input and facilitated group discussions provided resources that organisations could use to develop their own trauma plans and actions. This followed a similar approach to a previous session delivered to commissioned and funded services. Children and Families 2.23 Within children and families, our core approaches to supporting children and families are underpinned by the principles of trauma informed practice. This includes our core assessment framework (Signs of Safety and Healing) and approaches for specific circumstances: Contextual Safeguarding when young people are at risk of criminal or sexual exploitation: and Safe and Together, where domestic abuse is a concern. 2.23.1 This is illustrated below: Page 96 of 116
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2.24 The service has undertaken evaluation work across all these approaches and while key strengths have been identified in how social workers build relationships with families we recognise the importance of consolidating practitioner confidence in practising in a trauma-informed way. To support this the lead officer for trauma informed practice has worked with colleagues across localities to create structured reflective sessions for social work staff which encompass wellbeing approaches, opportunities to consider case study materials and recognise areas of good practice as well as how we can improve our services. Justice Services: 2.25 Justice Services have recruited two lived experience development workers and created a peer mentoring service positioned in the Throughcare and Recovery Service. This enhances our trauma informed response with individuals as the development workers use their own experience of services and trauma to adopt reach out to people who are distrustful of services due to their previous experiences and so reduce retraumatisation. Due to lived experience, peer mentoring support is well received from service users, and this helps break down barriers to engagement and promotes desistance. Whole Family Support 2.26 Trauma informed principles continue to underpin the strategic direction and operational delivery of whole family support. These principles compliment the broader aims of The Promise, reinforcing a commitment to a family centred, no wrong door approach that ensures families receive timely, compassionate, and appropriate support. A range of innovative procurement and commissioning practices have been developed to embed trauma informed ways of working. These include approaches designed to enhance choice, collaboration, and flexibility. Notably, families and young people have been actively involved in shaping service specifications, assessing tenders, and influencing decision-making processes. This engagement ensures services are responsive to changing needs and grounded in lived experience. 2.27 Flexibility within contract delivery has also been prioritised, enabling providers to adapt their practice and support models as community needs evolve. This adaptability is a core element of trauma-informed commissioning and has contributed to improved alignment between service delivery. 2.28 The impact of these approaches is evident across commissioned services: 2.28.1 Counselling for Care Experienced Young People: The responsive commissioning framework has led to the development of relationship based, fully wraparound support delivered by counsellors situated within Education and Families Intensive Services. Their physical presence promotes continuity, trust, and accessibility for families requiring intensive support. 2.28.2 Families Here and Now Service (FHANS): FHANS demonstrates a high level of flexibility and responsiveness to emerging community needs. Variations in delivery methods across North Lanarkshire reflect local priorities and insights from ongoing reporting. For example, FHANS has delivered targeted parenting group interventions within a school setting where specific needs are identified. This offering is not replicated in other areas, highlighting the service’s capability to tailor interventions. 2.28.3 The next phase of development will involve embedding coproduction processes across all social care procurement activity. This will ensure that the voices of children, young Page 97 of 116
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people, families and communities consistently influence service design, commissioning and delivery. 2.29 A strong focus on lived experience is evident in approaches to carer support in North Lanarkshire including the Carer Breather Fund 2025-2028. This collaborative approach to decision making over resource allocation involves carer representatives, 3rd sector partners and SW staff and aims to provide flexible support options for carers and reduce the impact of trauma on and families and individuals. Education 2.29 The new Education and Families Health Wellbeing and Inclusion Framework (2025) presented to the Education, Children and Families Committee in November 2025 sets out how trauma informed practice is core to the delivery of health and wellbeing within Education. Several relationship-based initiatives in education are underpinned by trauma principles including Nurturing Approaches, Relationships and Brain Development, Wellbeing: Stress and Anxiety, Critical Incidents and Lifelines, and Seasons for Growth and Healthy Sleep. Educational Psychology integrate trauma informed principles into all their Health and Wellbeing training. 2.30 Case study data has found the positive impact for children as a result of these trauma informed approached to promote wellbeing e.g. improvements in attendance and attainment following implementation of whole school nurture approaches. Full details and impact of all trauma informed work undertaken by Educational Psychologists is reported to the Education, Children and Families Committee on an annual basis and details of the impact can be found in the committee report presented on 18 November 2025 - Educational Psychology Standards and Quality Highlights 2.31 Critical Incidents and Lifelines Lanarkshire are approaches, built on principles of trauma informed practice, that equip key staff to deal with both potentially traumatic incidents and children and young people at risk of self-harm and suicide. Training workshops on these approaches combine the supports needed by staff and the wider school community with those needed by children and young people. Evaluation has found that 72% of staff reported increased confidence in responding to critical incidents following the training. 2.32 The approach to training on trauma informed principles within education is overseen by a dedicated subgroup as part of the Programme of Work. The group has developed a ‘trauma walkthrough tool’ to support educational establishments in reflecting on, strengthening, and sustaining trauma responsive practice. The tool has been piloted in Stane Primary School and St Aidan’s High School. Despite the differences in size and setting between these schools, the findings from the ‘walk throughs’ were consistent in highlighting the importance of creating predictable environments, fostering nurturing relationships, promoting coregulation, and ensuring that the physical and relational spaces within the school communicate safety and acceptance. The walk throughs have supported the schools to explore how these principles are lived out in daily practice and are integrated into school improvement work. 3. Measures of success 3.1 Staff are trained in Trauma Informed Practice at the level commensurate with their role. Page 98 of 116
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3.2 Improvement action on trauma design of spaces are delivered in line with the implementation of town and community hubs with ongoing learning feeding into future design. 3.3 Staff engagement, retention and wellbeing is improved through the implementation of trauma informed work at a systems level. 3.4 Council staff, services, and environments recognise the prevalence and impact of trauma, how they may create barriers to support, the key role they play in peoples recovery, and how they can reduce the possibility of re-traumatisation. 3.5 Outcomes for children, young people and adults are improved through positive relationships with staff and evidenced in feedback from citizens on their experiences. 4. Supporting documentation 4.1 Appendix A – Trauma Informed System 4.2 Appendix B – Video Links Alison Gordon Chief Social Work Officer (Children, Families, Justice and Integrated Practice Page 99 of 116
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5. Impacts 5.1 Public Sector Equality Duty and Fairer Scotland Duty Does the report contain information that has an impact as a result of the Public Sector Equality Duty and/or Fairer Scotland Duty? Yes ☒ No ☐ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the impact? There is a growing body of evidence that impact of adverse childhood experiences and trauma contribute to increased risk of a wide range of physical and mental health conditions and social problems, including involvement in the justice system (Scottish Government, 2018). A trauma-informed approach to the delivery of services mitigates these risks and is an important component in the strategic work to reduce inequalities and delivering priorities within the Council’s new Programme of Work. If Yes, has an assessment been carried out and published on the council’s website? https://www.northlanarkshire.gov.uk/your-community/equalities/equality- and-fairer-scotland-duty-impact-assessments Yes ☐ No ☒ 5.2 Financial impact Does the report contain any financial impacts? Yes ☒ No ☐ If Yes, have all relevant financial impacts been discussed and agreed with Finance? Yes ☒ No ☐ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the impact? Funding for the trauma lead post has now been baselined following permanent monies being confirmed by the Scottish Government to support implementation of the National Trauma Programme. 5.3 HR policy impact Does the report contain any HR policy or procedure impacts? Yes ☒ No ☐ If Yes, have all relevant HR impacts been discussed and agreed with People Resources? Yes ☒ No ☐ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the impact? Trauma Informed Practice features is a firm commitment within the strategy, delivery framework and objectives of the Equalities Delivery Board. In terms of trauma design of town and community hubs and their spaces, the Council’s Safety and Wellbeing team and Equalities officer are involved in plans and improvement actions. The TOD team are engaged in training roll out proposals contained in this report and as HR policies are reviewed the impacts of trauma will be considered in development of guidance and toolkits to promote the wellbeing of staff. 5.4 Legal impact Does the report contain any legal impacts (such as general legal matters, statutory considerations (including employment law considerations), or new legislation)? Yes ☐ No ☒ Page 100 of 116
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If Yes, have all relevant legal impacts been discussed and agreed with Legal and Democratic? Yes ☐ No ☒ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the impact? 5.5 Data protection impact Does the report / project / practice contain or involve the processing of personal data? Yes ☐ No ☒ If Yes, is the processing of this personal data likely to result in a high risk to the data subject? Yes ☐ No ☒ If Yes, has a Data Protection Impact Assessment (DPIA) been carried out and e- mailed to dataprotection@northlan.gov.uk Yes ☐ No ☐ 5.6 Technology / Digital impact Does the report contain information that has an impact on either technology, digital transformation, service redesign / business change processes, data management, or connectivity / broadband / Wi-Fi? Yes ☒ No ☐ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the impact? There will be some impact on technology and digital given that supports and services will take a Trauma Design approach. This includes materials and media, policies and procedures and communications digitally. Where the impact identifies a requirement for significant technology change, has an assessment been carried out (or is scheduled to be carried out) by the Enterprise Architecture Governance Group (EAGG)? Yes ☐ No ☒ 5.7 Environmental / Carbon impact Does the report / project / practice contain information that has an impact on any environmental or carbon matters? Yes ☐ No ☒ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the impact? 5.8 Communications impact Does the report contain any information that has an impact on the council’s communications activities? Yes ☒ No ☐ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the impact? A communication plan for staff is in place to promote awareness of trauma informed practice for staff and what it means for them on their role. 5.9 Risk impact Is there a risk impact? Yes ☒ No ☐ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the key risks and potential impacts, highlighting where the risk(s) are assessed and recorded (e.g. Corporate or Service or Project Risk Registers), and how they are managed? Page 101 of 116
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There are risks to children, adults and families of re-traumatisation and increased distress if staff are insufficiently trauma-informed in their approach and practice. If our physical spaces are not designed and maintained to offer a sense of safety, calmness, dignity, and promoting choice and control it could significantly impact the positive impact and aspiration we have for our town and community hubs. Attention to the principles of Trauma Informed Practice is incorporated into the revised Strategic Policy Framework adopted by the Policy and Strategy Committee on 16 March 2023. Furthermore, Trauma Informed Practice now firmly sits within the objectives of the Council’s Equalities Delivery Board. 5.10 Armed Forces Covenant Duty Does the report require to take due regard of the Armed Forces Covenant Duty (i.e. does it relate to healthcare, housing, or education services for in-Service or ex- Service personnel, or their families, or widow(er)s)? Yes ☐ No ☒ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the provision which has been made to ensure there has been appropriate consideration of the particular needs of the Armed Forces community to make sure that they do not face disadvantage compared to other citizens in the provision of public services. 5.11 Children’s rights and wellbeing impact Does the report contain any information regarding any council activity, service delivery, policy, or plan that has an impact on children and young people up to the age of 18, or on a specific group of these? Yes ☒ No ☐ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the impact and the provision that has been made to ensure there has been appropriate consideration of the relevant Articles from the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC). The implementation of trauma informed practice supports the council in its UNCRC duties as the principles of trauma informed practice place the child’s lived experience, safety, dignity, and recovery at the centre of decision-making (Articles, 2, 3, and 12). If Yes, has a Children’s Rights and Wellbeing Impact Assessment (CRWIA) been carried out? Yes ☐ No ☒ Page 102 of 116
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Appendix A: Trauma-Informed System Page 103 of 116
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Appendix B: Trauma Informed design video links Allison Lang, Trauma Informed Lead Robin Jefferson, Design Coordinator, Architecture Graeme Morrison, Motherwell library Rebecca Smith, Tackling Poverty Team Nancy Ferguson, Educational Psychologist Nicola Harvie, Education Support Officer Sharon Pollock, Routes to Work Page 104 of 116
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North Lanarkshire Council Report Wellbeing and Tackling Poverty Committee Does this report require to be approved? ☒ Yes ☐ No Ref FW/JMcG Date 06/02/26 Revised Equality and Diversity Policy From Fiona Whittaker, Chief Officer People Resources E-mail whittakerf@northlan.gov.uk 1. Background 1.1 This policy replaces North Lanarkshire’s current Equality and Diversity Policy and supports the Plan for North Lanarkshire by embedding equality principles across services, policies, and decision-making to ensure fairness and accessibility for all. Executive Summary This report presents North Lanarkshire’s updated Equality and Diversity Policy for consideration and approval. The policy reinforces the Council’s overall commitment to fairness, inclusion, and human rights, aligning with the Plan for North Lanarkshire and the Programme of Work. It aims to eliminate discrimination, promote equality of opportunity, foster good relations, and reduce socio-economic inequalities across all services, partnerships and in our communities. The policy applies to all staff, elected members, contractors, and service users, ensuring compliance with the Equality Act 2010, Public Sector Equality Duty, and related relevant legislation. This policy underlines our commitment to mainstreaming equality and to creating a North Lanarkshire where everyone has the opportunity to thrive, free from discrimination and inequality. Recommendations It is recommended that the Wellbeing and Tackling Poverty Committee: (1) Approve the updated Equality and Diversity Policy. The Plan for North Lanarkshire Priority All priorities Ambition statement All ambition statements Programme of Work All Programmes of Work Item 4 Page 105 of 116
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1.2 The updated policy underpins the Council’s statutory duties under the Equality Act 2010, the Public Sector Equality Duty and the Fairer Scotland Duty, and other related legislation, ensuring compliance while promoting fairness, reducing socio-economic disadvantage, and adopting a human rights-based approach. 1.3 The policy is consistent with the Council's overarching place-based strategy and incorporates governance changes in the oversight of equality across North Lanarkshire. 2. Report 2.1 The revised Equality and Diversity Policy reaffirms our commitment to creating a fair and inclusive environment for all. It has been revised to ensure full alignment with the Plan for North Lanarkshire, the Programme of Work, and the Council’s strengthened governance arrangements, including the establishment of the Equality Board to provide strategic oversight. 2.2 The policy sets out a comprehensive approach to mainstreaming equality and advancing human rights across all services, decision-making, and partnerships. It aims to: • eliminate discrimination, harassment, and victimisation in service delivery, employment, and partnerships; • promote equality of opportunity, ensuring fair access to services, participation, and employment; • foster good relations between diverse groups, encouraging respect and understanding; • value diversity and inclusion, creating environments where differences are respected and celebrated; • reduce socio-economic inequalities, addressing barriers caused by poverty; • protect and uphold human rights, embedding a rights-based approach in all policies and practices; and • engage and empower communities through co-production and consultation. 2.3 The policy supports the Council’s compliance with statutory duties under the Equality Act 2010, Public Sector Equality Duty, and Specific Duties (Scotland) Regulations 2012, while preparing for the forthcoming Human Rights Scotland Bill. It also incorporates our responsibilities under the Fairer Scotland Duty and the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015. 2.4 Its scope covers all Council operations, employees, elected members, contractors, partners, and funded organisations, ensuring equality principles are applied in service design, policy development, procurement, and community engagement. 2.5 It outlines new governance arrangements which are strengthened through the Equality Board, which ensures a cross-service approach to advancing equality in line with the Plan for North Lanarkshire, monitoring progress against Equality Outcomes and reporting to the Wellbeing and Tackling Poverty Committee. It confirms that Equality Impact Assessments (EQIAs) will be carried out and published for all relevant policies and decisions. 2.6 The policy highlights the Council’s commitment to continuous improvement through training for our staff, accessible communication, and regular public reporting on progress. This integrated approach supports the ambition of a North Lanarkshire where Page 106 of 116
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everyone can Live, Learn, Work, Invest, and Visit without barriers, free from discrimination and inequality. 2.7 Relevant stakeholders, including trade unions, have been consulted on the revised policy and given the opportunity to provide feedback. Where appropriate and within competence, their comments have been incorporated into the final version of the policy. 3. Measures of success 3.1 The Council fully complies with statutory duties under the Equality Act 2010, Public Sector Equality Duty, Fairer Scotland Duty, and forthcoming Human Rights Scotland Bill. 3.2 Publication of positive mainstreaming reports and equality outcomes progress reports every 2 years including increased diversity in Council workforce and leadership roles, reflective of the demographics of our communities. 3.3 Improved community participation in decision-making through co-production and consultation with evidence that services are accessible and inclusive for all residents, including those with protected characteristics and socio-economic disadvantage, and evidence that a human rights-based approach is embedded in policies and service delivery. 3.4 The Equality Board continues to play a strong governance role in monitoring, reporting, and driving improvements in the Council’s approach to equality, including fully integration of equality principles into Programme of Work actions. 4. Supporting documentation 4.1 Appendix 1 - Revised Equality and Diversity Policy Fiona Whittaker Chief Officer (People Resources) Page 107 of 116
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5. Impacts 5.1 Public Sector Equality Duty and Fairer Scotland Duty Does the report contain information that has an impact as a result of the Public Sector Equality Duty and/or Fairer Scotland Duty? Yes ☒ No ☐ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the impact? The Equality and Diversity Policy strengthens the practical effectiveness of the Fairer Scotland Duty, reinforcing the need for socio-economic disadvantage to be considered alongside broader equality concerns. If Yes, has an assessment been carried out and published on the council’s website? https://www.northlanarkshire.gov.uk/your-community/equalities/equality- and-fairer-scotland-duty-impact-assessments Yes ☐ No ☒ 5.2 Financial impact Does the report contain any financial impacts? Yes ☐ No ☐ If Yes, have all relevant financial impacts been discussed and agreed with Finance? Yes ☐ No ☐ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the impact? 5.3 HR policy impact Does the report contain any HR policy or procedure impacts? Yes ☐ No ☒ If Yes, have all relevant HR impacts been discussed and agreed with People Resources? Yes ☐ No ☐ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the impact? 5.4 Legal impact Does the report contain any legal impacts (such as general legal matters, statutory considerations (including employment law considerations), or new legislation)? Yes ☐ No ☒ If Yes, have all relevant legal impacts been discussed and agreed with Legal and Democratic? Yes ☐ No ☐ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the impact? 5.5 Data protection impact Does the report / project / practice contain or involve the processing of personal data? Yes ☐ No ☒ If Yes, is the processing of this personal data likely to result in a high risk to the data subject? Yes ☐ No ☐ If Yes, has a Data Protection Impact Assessment (DPIA) been carried out and e- mailed to dataprotection@northlan.gov.uk Yes ☐ No ☐ 5.6 Technology / Digital impact Page 108 of 116
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Does the report contain information that has an impact on either technology, digital transformation, service redesign / business change processes, data management, or connectivity / broadband / Wi-Fi? Yes ☐ No ☒ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the impact? Where the impact identifies a requirement for significant technology change, has an assessment been carried out (or is scheduled to be carried out) by the Enterprise Architecture Governance Group (EAGG)? Yes ☐ No ☐ 5.7 Environmental / Carbon impact Does the report / project / practice contain information that has an impact on any environmental or carbon matters? Yes ☐ No ☒ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the impact? 5.8 Communications impact Does the report contain any information that has an impact on the council’s communications activities? Yes ☐ No ☒ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the impact? 5.9 Risk impact Is there a risk impact? Yes ☐ No ☒ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the key risks and potential impacts, highlighting where the risk(s) are assessed and recorded (e.g. Corporate or Service or Project Risk Registers), and how they are managed? 5.10 Armed Forces Covenant Duty Does the report require to take due regard of the Armed Forces Covenant Duty (i.e. does it relate to healthcare, housing, or education services for in-Service or ex- Service personnel, or their families, or widow(er)s)? Yes ☐ No ☒ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the provision which has been made to ensure there has been appropriate consideration of the particular needs of the Armed Forces community to make sure that they do not face disadvantage compared to other citizens in the provision of public services. 5.11 Children’s rights and wellbeing impact Does the report contain any information regarding any council activity, service delivery, policy, or plan that has an impact on children and young people up to the age of 18, or on a specific group of these? Yes ☐ No ☒ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the impact and the provision that has been made to ensure there has been appropriate consideration of the relevant Articles from the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC). If Yes, has a Children’s Rights and Wellbeing Impact Assessment (CRWIA) been carried out? Yes ☐ No ☐ Page 109 of 116
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EQUALITYAND DIVERSITY POLICY UPDATED 2025 Appendix 1 Page 110 of 116
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Equalityand Diversity Policy 2 Document control Title Equality and Diversity Policy Owner Fiona Whittaker Contact whittakerf@northlan.gov.uk Governance Group Wellbeing & Tackling Poverty Committee Author Julie McGee Contact mcgeej@northlan.gov.uk Revision History Number Originator Date Review Commenced Revision description/record of change 2 Julie McGhee December 2025 Update of policy following required review Document Approvals Number Governance Group Date approval granted Date approval to be requested (if document still draft) 1 Policy and Strategy 11 June 2020 Approved 2 Wellbeing and Tacking Poverty Committee Consultation Record (for most recent update) Status of document consulted upon Stakeholders consulted/date CMT, Trade Unions, Employee Equality Forum Strategic Alignment Next review date Review Date This policy will be reviewed every two years to determine if any changes are required. The policy will also be updated as necessary to reflect organisational or legislative changes. Page 111 of 116
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Equalityand Diversity Policy 3 Introduction This policy is integral to North Lanarkshire Council’s vision, as outlined in the Plan for North Lanarkshire, which sets out a shared ambition for inclusive growth and prosperity for all. It reflects the Council’s commitment to reducing inequality, tackling poverty, and empowering communities to participate fully in shaping services and decisions. Equality and diversity are core principles embedded throughout the Programme of Work, which drives transformation across all service areas. By mainstreaming equality, the Council ensures that every strategic priority and action promotes fairness, inclusion, and accessibility. This approach supports our commitment to creating a fairer North Lanarkshire where everyone can Live, Learn, Work, Invest, and Visit without barriers. Aims This policy underlines our commitment to mainstreaming equality and advancing human rights and is focused on creating fairness and inclusivity for both service users and employees. The Council’s key aims include: Eliminating discrimination, harassment and victimisation - in all Council functions, services and employment, ensuring fairness in all services, decision-making and employment. Promoting equality of opportunity - ensuring everyone has equal access to services, participation in decision-making and employment. Fostering good relations - encouraging respect, understanding, and positive interaction between different groups in our communities, tackling prejudice and encouraging positive interaction. Mainstreaming equality - embedding it into all policies, practices, and service delivery, making equality a core part of planning, budgeting, and performance management as a core part of how we work. Valuing diversity and inclusion - creating environments in our communities and workplaces where differences are respected and celebrated, valuing differences in culture, background, and experience. Reducing socio-econom ic inequalities - addressing inequalities caused by poverty and deprivation and targeting resources to areas of persistent disadvantage and in the greatest need. Protecting and upholding human rights - ensuring policies and services respect fundamental rights, guaranteeing dignity, respect, and fairness for all. Engaging and empowering communities - involving people in decision-making through co- production and consultation, supporting participation including from under-represented groups and creating inclusive environments where everyone feels respected and able to contribute. Page 112 of 116
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Equalityand Diversity Policy 4 The Council is committed to achieving equality for all and view our responsibilities here as broader than those characteristics protected by the Equality Act (2010) which are: • age; • disability; • gender reassignment; • marriage or civil partnership (in employment only); • pregnancy and maternity; • race; • religion or belief; • sex; and • sexual orientation. The Council also recognises that individuals may experience inequality for reasons including but not limited to: • Health; • Low income, employment status or housing circumstance; • Trauma Social background, including family circumstance or caring responsibilities; • Political beliefs and membership or non-memberships of trade unions; • Nationality, national or ethnic origin, including Gypsies and Travellers; and • Disadvantage through conditions or requirements which cannot be shown to be justifiable. Legislative and Policy Context These aims align with our legislative duties under the Equality Act 2010 and Public Sector Equality Duty (PSED), Specific Duties (Scotland) Regulations 2012, and incorporate our responsibilities under additional legislation including the Human Rights Act 1998, the forthcoming Human Rights Bill for Scotland, (anticipated May 2026), the Fairer Scotland Duty and the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015. This policy is closely linked to a range of other council policies and strategies that embed equality principles across services and employment. These include our Equality Strategy, Equality Outcomes and Equality and Diversity in Employment Policy, our Codes of Conduct and Procurement Strategy as well as workforce initiatives including Disability Confident Leader, Equally Safe at Work, Race at Work Charter and Fair Work First. Scope This policy is comprehensive, encompassing all North Lanarkshire operations, external service delivery, and partnerships: Council services - areas and functions; The policy applies to all Council services, including Education and Families, Enterprise and Communities, Chief Executive Service and Health and Social Care. Employees and Elected Members; All staff and Councillors, regardless of role or location, must uphold the principles of equality and diversity in their work and conduct. Contractors, Partners, and Funded Organisations; Any organisation or individual delivering services on behalf of the Council or receiving Council funding must comply with this policy in its scope under the PSED. Page 113 of 116
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Equalityand Diversity Policy 5 Service Users and Comm unities; Everyone interacting with Council services will be treated fairly and with respect, ensuring equal access and inclusion. The policy applies to: • Service design and delivery; • Policy development and decision-making, incorporating Equality Impact Assessments (EQIAs); • Procurement and commissioning processes to ensure suppliers meet equality standards; and • Community engagement and participation, supporting representation from under- represented groups. Roles and Responsibilities Managers are responsible for implementing the policy within their service area and for monitoring compliance. Employees and elected members must also uphold equality principles and adhere to the council’s Codes of Conduct. Council leadership plays a key role by providing training, resources, and governance to embed equality across all functions, ensuring that equality and diversity remain central to North Lanarkshire’s culture and operations. Governance Framework North Lanarkshire’s democratic decision-making process operates through our committee system, ensuring transparency and accountability. Equality and diversity are embedded within the Plan for North Lanarkshire, the Local Outcome Improvement Plan, and the duties set out in the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015. Progress is reported through Mainstreaming Reports and Equality Outcomes, which are published in line with the PSED Specific Duties (Scotland) Regulations 2012. The Equality Board plays a central role in advancing equality across all council functions. It provides strategic oversight to ensure equality matters remain fit for purpose, overseeing the implementation of the Equality Strategy and monitoring progress against Equality Outcomes. The Board works collaboratively with Chief Officers, service representatives, the Equality Team, and the Elected Member Equality Champion to maintain a culture of inclusion and fairness. The Board reports to the Wellbeing and Tackling Poverty Committee and supports the Programme of Work. The Chief Executive and Senior Leadership Team provide strategic direction, ensuring compliance with legal duties, while managers implement the policy within their service areas and monitor performance. Employees and elected members are expected to uphold equality principles and act in accordance with Codes of Conduct. The council is committed to co-production as a core approach to service design and delivery. Through initiatives including Community Boards, we ensure that communities have meaningful opportunities to be involved in shaping services and influencing decisions. This commitment reflects our belief that working in partnership with residents leads to better outcomes and stronger, more inclusive communities. Equality Impact Assessments will be carried out, and the results of these assessments published, for all relevant policies, strategies, and decisions to identify and mitigate any potential adverse impacts. These assessments are a critical tool for promoting fairness and ensuring compliance with the Public Sector Equality Duty and the Fairer Scotland Duty. Performance is monitored Page 114 of 116
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Equalityand Diversity Policy 6 through the evidence framework to our Equality Outcomes and reported publicly every two years, alongside a progress report on how North Lanarkshire is mainstreaming equality in all of our work. Council Position North Lanarkshire Council is committed to making equality and diversity a central part of all that we do. We recognise that achieving real equality is a long-term goal that requires an integrated approach, sustained effort, partnership working, and cultural change. Our position is clear: • Equality is a core value: We will embed equality and diversity into all policies, services, and decision-making processes. • Targeting persistent inequalities: Through our Equality Strategy, Equality Outcomes and evidence framework, we will focus resources on areas where disadvantage exists. • Challenging discrimination: We will take action to prevent discrimination and harassment in all forms, whether in service delivery, employment, or through our partnerships. • Inclusive employment: We will ensure that employment opportunities within the Council are open and accessible to all and that every employee is treated fairly throughout their career. • Human rights-based approach: We will place people’s human rights at the centre of our policies and practice, empowering individuals and communities to understand their rights. • Social Model of Disability: We will work to remove barriers, physical, attitudinal, and institutional, that prevent disabled people from participating fully in their communities and our workplaces. • Co-production: We will consult with and engage people from across diverse communities in North Lanarkshire to help shape our policies, practices and the services we deliver in seeking to ensure all have the opportunity to participate fully in the life of North Lanarkshire. • Training and development: We will provide staff with the skills and knowledge needed to implement this policy effectively and deliver inclusive services. • Accessible communication: We will ensure that information and services are available in formats that meet the needs of all communities. • Continuous improvement: We will monitor, assess, and publicly report on the impact of our policies and services, making changes where necessary to ensure fairness and equality. Our commitment is to create a North Lanarkshire where everyone has the opportunity to thrive, free from discrimination and inequality. Page 115 of 116
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