How SAVVI is Tackling Child Poverty in Scotland

by Mevish Khalid, Published 19 December 2024

We are thrilled to share the remarkable progress that SAVVI (Scalable Approach to Vulnerability via Interoperability) has achieved in collaboration with the Rural Child Poverty project, an initiative led by the Improvement Service and three dedicated Scottish local authorities: Angus Council, Argyll & Bute Council, and Inverclyde Council. This partnership is pioneering a data-driven approach to identify and support families facing the harsh realities of child poverty in rural areas of Scotland.

Understanding the Challenge

The landscape of child poverty in Scotland has shifted dramatically due to the combined impact of a rising cost of living crisis and the unique challenges faced by families in remote, rural, and island communities. Unlike their urban counterparts, families in these areas often find themselves hidden from statistical analysis, situated among wealthier populations, making it difficult for local authorities to identify those in need.

SAVVI steps in to address this issue, presenting a framework that promotes both technical and legal interoperability. By establishing data standards and practical guidance, SAVVI aims to empower local authorities to make smarter interventions and referrals, ensuring that vulnerable families receive the support they need.

Collaboration and Methodology

Supported by the SAVVI Engagement Team, the Rural Child Poverty project set out to test whether the SAVVI methodology could effectively enable local councils to reuse personal data lawfully and ethically. This critical approach involved three key components:

1. Identifying Risk Factors: Through careful analysis, the councils pinpointed the data items that are most relevant in assessing the risk of child poverty.

2. Defining Data Sources: The councils collaborated to propose various data sources from which these items could be derived, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of the challenge.

3. Identifying Legal Basis: By reviewing existing legislation, the councils agreed upon the lawful reuse of personal data necessary to identify and assist families at risk.

This collaborative effort led to the development of the SAVVI Playbook, an invaluable resource designed to guide other local authorities in replicating this successful approach.

The SAVVI Process

Central to SAVVI's methodology is a structured process that involves five phases: Purpose, Find, Assess, Support, Report, and Improve. This systematic approach encourages local authorities to:

- Set a clear purpose for their initiatives.

- Utilise data to find individuals and families at risk.

- Assess individual needs through community engagement.

- Provide necessary support and monitor outcomes.

- Continuously review and improve their interventions.

With this framework, Scotland's councils can not only identify families in need of assistance but also ensure the efficacy of their data-sharing practices.

Next Steps for Local Authorities

Our goal is to inspire other local authorities across Scotland and the UK to adopt a SAVVI-style approach for identifying and supporting families facing vulnerability. The lessons learned from the Rural Child Poverty project are invaluable, serving as a roadmap for effective data collaboration and ethical practices.

Read the full

Reusing Data to Find Cases of Rural Child Poverty in Scotland Case study.⁠

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Are you interested in learning more or implementing similar initiatives in your area? We invite project teams, data specialists, and information governance professionals to explore the

SAVVI Playbook⁠

and our workshop resources!

For more information on how SAVVI operates and how we can support your local authority's initiatives, contact us today at

info@savviuk.org⁠