Deprivation and Social Exclusion in Shetland

A piece of research into Deprivation and Social Exclusion in Shetland was published in 2006. It was commissioned by community planning partners in order to provide evidence that can be presented at a national level, to demonstrate that, although Shetland has a high standard of living and generally high quality of life, there are still individuals and households in Shetland who are living in poverty and are unable to access the many opportunities Shetland has to offer.

The research described people’s experiences of living in circumstances of deprivation and social exclusion in Shetland, covering issues of access, community, health, housing, income & employment and learning. It concludes that there are a lot of good things happening that alleviate people's circumstances, but that more can always be done: by service managers (across all agencies) redesigning services to reduce inequalities and by different services working better together. The evidence continues to be used to develop understanding and reduce inequalities in Shetland.

Shetland's Community Planning Board approved the recommendations, requesting the development of an action plan to address them. A full copy of the report and the Executive Summary can be downloaded below.

Title	Format	Size
Deprivation and Social Exclusion Report
Executive Summary

A Fairer Shetland

In 2009 although there are positive examples of services developing and evolving to assist people who have a poor quality of life, the general trend is of a worsening picture in terms of numbers of people, and the quality of people's lives. This is because of a general worsening national trend and added challenges to deal with at a local level, but is also because of a lack of understanding of the issues, and a lack of change in the way services are working together and with people to improve their quality of life.

A workshop was held on 9th October 2009, bringing together a broad range of front line services to update understanding and refocus activity. The workshop findings informed the development of a Fairer Shetland Framework for reducing levels of poverty in Shetland. The Fairer Shetland Framework and the Workshop Report and can be found below.

In order to ensure the actions required in Shetland remain relevant, the workshop has been repeated in 2010 and 2011. These have been key to refreshing the framework to ensure it delivers to achieve a positive impact.

Title	Format	Size
Fairer Shetland Framework 2012/13 (approved in principle)
Fairer Shetland Framework 2010/12		476 KB
Workshop Report 2011
Workshop Report 2010		425KB
Workshop Report 2009

The key prioritities for 2012/13 are:

Promotion and support for a more thrifty approach to living;

Support the development and implementation of a community-led parenting project;

Supporting pathways to positive employment destinations, through volunteering, training, supported employment, particularly at this time of national benefit changes, and tackling the stigma associated with poverty, disadvantage and/or substance misuse;

Increasing awareness and understanding of the issues of poverty, social exclusion and disadvantage in Shetland, including tackling issues of stigma and being able to be different;

Ensuring everyone is supported to access positive social networks that enable them to have a good quality of life and retain a positive pathway, including the development of the Smart Card;

Delivering on the Christie Commission agenda, particularly around person-centred approaches, in order to ensure that all vulnerable individuals and families are receiving the assistance and support they require to move forward positively, at as early stage as possible; and

Supporting the concepts generated by the ‘Poverty is Bad – Let’s Fix It!!’ Project:

A2B: Involving young people in re-designing transport services in Shetland by establishing a working group of young people and transport planners which is focused on young people’s needs.

Mentoring and creating positive role models: Recruit mentors to support and coach people experiencing poverty, social exclusion and deprivation to build their confidence, draw out their skills and help them find opportunities to use them.

Encourage positive anti-stigma messages through the media.

Engage business employers to provide active support to young people with job applications, CVs, presentations and interview techniques through presentations and small working groups in schools, colleges, Bridges, and through SYIS and Youth Services.

A series of short plays and films based on real stories of people in Shetland and shown across Shetland.

A mentoring scheme in which recipients and ex-recipients of support share their experiences of receiving support with their peers in small groups based at schools, youth clubs, colleges and communities.

By achieving these organisations and individuals across Shetland will be assisting in achieving the following outcomes:

NATIONAL PRIORITY AREA

WEALTHIER & FAIRER - Enable businesses and people to increase their wealth and more people to share fairly in that wealth.

National Outcomes

We realise our full economic potential with more and better employment opportunities for our people.

We have tackled the significant inequalities in Scottish society.

We have improved the life chances for children, young people and families at risk.

Local Outcomes

SHETLAND ‘FAIRER’ STRATEGIC OUTCOMES

A) Reduced Levels and Impact of Poverty, Deprivation and Social Exclusion in Shetland.

B) Socio-economic disadvantage does not impact on the opportunities people have.

SHETLAND ‘FAIRER’ OPERATIONAL OUTCOMES

a) WE ARE MAXIMISING HOUSEHOLD ReSOURCES:

B) WE ARE INCREASING EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES AND ARE PROVIDING THE RIGHT SUPPORT AT THE RIGHT TIME TO ENABLE EACH INDIVIDUAL TO ACCESS LONG-TERM EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

C) WE WORK WITH PEOPLE AS INDIVIDUALS TO IMPROVE THEIR LIFE CHANCES

D) WE PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES TO IMPROVE QUALITY OF LIFE

POVERY IS BAD - LET'S FIX IT!!

In 2011 the Fairer Shetland Partnership agreed that the original research of 2006 needed to be revisited and Shetland's understanding of poverty be refreshed. The focus on this work was on exploring young people's experiences and perceptions of poverty, social exclusion and inequality, and how to use this to impact on Shetland's thinking and understanding of these issues.

More information will be provided shortly.

Links with With You For You

The original research highlighted the imprortance of flexible, person-centred approaches to reducing poverty and social exclusion in Shetland. With You For You provides the tools to enable such an approach. Therefore, the development of the capacity of people to use this tool is a key priority for the Fairer Shetland Partnership.

See With You For You.

A signposting booklet has been developed to assist front-line staff to provide clients with the most appropriate information and services available.

Policy
Shetland Islands Council
Town Hall
Hillhead
Lerwick
Shetland
ZE1 0HB

Phone: (01595) 744537 or 01595 74 3728
Email: policy@shetland.gov.uk