A CLACKMANNANSHIRE team have been recognised as the best at a national awards ceremony. 

The Early Help Team bagged a COSLA Excellence Award, which recognises success and innovation in local government, for their hard work in delivering help and support to families who are at risk and in need. 

Council Leader Ellen Forson, the Council’s Champion for the Promise, said: “A huge well done to everyone involved in the Early Help Team - it’s great to see their hard work recognised.

"I’m delighted to see this innovative project to help our vulnerable families win this national award."

The team, which consists of social workers, intensive family support workers and group decision making co-ordinators, was set up back in 2023 at the Alloa Family Centre in response to the high number of children on statutory orders and the child protection registration.

They provide an accessible and responsive children and families social work service at the point of need which focuses on building the strengths of each family network to stop an escalation of needs and risk. 

Cllr Forson continued: "The Council is taking our commitment to keep the Promise to our children and young people very seriously, and the Early Help Team is an example of how we’re changing the way we support families to provide practical and impactful help to avoid the need for children to enter the care system.”

Since its founding, the Early Help Team has engaged with between 60 and 70 per cent of all referrals to children’s social work, offering an enhanced level of support at an early stage and diverting children away from statutory intervention.  

From these referrals, a whopping 94 per cent have avoided escalation to statutory levels.

There has also been a sustained decrease in the number of children on the child protection register, a reduction in child protection concern reports and a decrease in child protection investigations.

Keith Brown, MSP for the Clackmannanshire & Dunblane constituency, has congratulated everyone involved in the Early Help Team. 

He added: “Huge congratulations to Clackmannanshire Council and, particularly, to everyone involved with Early Help Clackmannanshire on being named Best Team at COSLA’s Excellence Awards.

“In addition to the Best Team Award, Early Help Clackmannanshire was also shortlisted in the category of ‘Achieving Better Outcomes For The Most Vulnerable In Partnership’.

“This is fantastic and really well-deserved recognition for a project that delivers much needed support to families which aims to prevent young people from entering the care system. 

“Praise is always welcome, but praise from your peers is particularly meaningful.”