Clackmannanshire Council Online

Multi-agency team in running for transformation award

A ground breaking multi-agency team in Clackmannanshire which supports vulnerable people in the County has been named as a finalist in the prestigious iESE Transformation Awards 2022.

The Safeguarding through Rapid Intervention (STRIVE) team works on the principle that a multi-agency team working together can help people faster, and get better outcomes for them.  

STRIVE takes a values based, collaborative and person centred approach, drawing on resources from across the Council, public sector and third sector.  Instead of working individually, staff make connections and work together to find the best solutions to help people who are in need of support.

STRIVE  brings together a team of multi-agency professionals including Clackmannanshire Council’s Housing Service, Money Advice Service, Children and Families team and Education Team working alongside  Stirling & Clackmannanshire Health and Social Care Partnership and Police Scotland.

Initially commenced as an eight week pilot project in February 2020, STRIVE has since grown from strength to strength, with the team continuing to work remotely during the pandemic to support some of those in greatest need in our communities.

More than 330 adults and families in Clackmannanshire have been supported by STRIVE and the team have also developed strong working relationships with other agencies in the community to enable the following interventions to be available for people in crisis.

These interventions have included;

• mental health interventions;
• Preventing homelessness by supporting individuals and families to obtain and sustain new or more suitable tenancies;
• Improving financial security by undertaking immediate financial assessments, accessing crisis funds, improving access to benefits entitlements and access to further education and employability;
• reducing police involvement;
• addressing trauma support; and
• Appropriate support to reduce alcohol and drugs use.

STRIVE aims to reduce the likelihood and impact of people experiencing repeated crisis.  It reduces the intensive resource required by a variety of public services.  With the added benefit of the new Police Scotland office co-located within Clackmannanshire Council HQ at Kilncraigs, Alloa, the team can meet in a dedicated space and will use this base once restrictions allow.

Councillor Les Sharp, the Clackmannanshire Council’s Spokesperson for Health & Social Services, said:

"STRIVE is demonstrating that if we think differently about how we do things and how we use our collective resources, we can make a real difference to people’s lives in Clackmannanshire. By intervening early and working collaboratively with all our partner organisations, we are improving life’s opportunities for our most vulnerable residents. I am delighted to see the team identified as a finalist in the iESE Transformation Awards."

Chief Inspector Audrey Marsh, Police Scotland’s Local Area Commander for Clackmannanshire, said:

"As a key partner in the STRIVE team, police have played a vital role in improving the lives of several hundred Clackmannanshire residents and their families so far.

"We know that many of the underlying factors that can contribute to criminal behaviour and wellbeing issues may stem from a range of challenges including mental health, drug and alcohol dependency, domestic abuse and poverty. Each organisation cannot address these problems alone."

The presentation of awards will take place at Church House in London and online  on Wednesday 9th March.     

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