Item 15 - Nurture DIG Report - August 2026
West Dunbartonshire Council · 20 August 2026
Back to Community Planning West Dunbartonshire Management Board — 20 August 2026 and its agenda
Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.
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Management Board Meeting Development and Improvement Groups (DIGs): Highlights and Issues Report FOR INFORMATION ONLY X FOR DECISION Name of Subgroup Nurture DIG Date of report 27/7/2026 Name and email of lead contact Clare Wilson 1 Highlights of activity and progress since last meeting Early Years Programmes and NESTA work Progress has continued through the short term NESTA project Improving early help for babies and their families in Scotland , focused on improving how services support families and young children via two local workshops, wider learning and networking with five other local authority areas including West Dunbartonshire with the development of a local self-assessment tool to help local areas evaluate how effectively services are supporting families. Children’s Services Plan 2026–2029 The draft Children’s Services Plan 2026–2029 was presented to the Nurture DIG in June. Next steps are focused on identifying and addressing gaps, reviewing and agreeing additional measures Mental Health and Wellbeing The Mental Health and Wellbeing workstream has continued to reflect on activity during 2025/26. The Distress Brief Intervention service continues, with referral numbers remaining constant and showing a slight increase, potentially linked to the soft launch of the adult element of the service. Work continues to progress the Planet Youth approach and identify key learning, alongside planning for the year ahead. The Promise Voice of the Promise Musical, where young people presented requests to decision makers. Action for Children will take this forward through workshops to explore how these requests can be considered and implemented locally, with feedback provided directly to the young people involved. Developmental Delay 0–3 years Work is ongoing to improve how the development of children under three is tracked. Neurodevelopmental Group The Neurodevelopmental Group’s Terms of Reference are being reviewed, with links being strengthened between the group and the GIRFEC workstream. Priorities include examining the availability and effectiveness of early support and intervention, reviewing data on children and families' accessing support, and considering joint complaints across services. ITEM 15
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The group highlighted the importance of reviewing language used across services so that it aligns with The Promise and promotes a non- stigmatising approach when engaging with children, young people and families. GIRFEC The GIRFEC workstream continues to operate on a functional basis, with a focus on training activity and maintaining a multi-agency approach. Work relating to vulnerable pregnancies remains ongoing, and consideration is being given to how the group’s membership, role, structure, and representation can be refreshed and strengthened. 2 Outline of any issues/risks and how these are being managed Variety of themes and opportunities related to Early years are developing and there is a need to bring them together to strengthen co-ordination and collaboration 3 Outline of the main outputs expected before next meeting Planet Youth event in West Dunbartonshire: Prevention in Practice 27/8/26 which will focus on reviewing local data and informing future planning. A visit from Fiona Duncan the Independent Strategic Advisor on the Promise in October to understand how West Dunbartonshire is continuing to embed and progress The Promise Final version of the Children's services plan 2026-29 4 What are your requirements of partners to achieve the outcomes of the DIG? Continued commitment to contribute to multi agency and integrated work in line with the Children (Care, Care Experience and Services Planning) (Scotland) Act 2026 5 Please outline any good news story you wish to share Thrive At Five has established its first programme in Scotland in West Dunbartonshire, which is a partnership programme to join up and strengthen the early years system supporting children to thrive from pregnancy to age five and is currently recruiting three key posts linked to health, education and parental engagement. Unheard Voices, Unbroken Spirits the West Dunbartonshire musical written, produced and performed by young local care-experienced people is at the Fringe in August.