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Key Principles
33. In developing the framework, there are some key principles that we will seek to ensure are at the heart of our plans for the future:
- A focus on tackling the causes as well as the symptoms of poverty
- An approach that improves the internal capacity of disadvantaged individuals to lift themselves and their families out of poverty by developing their resilience, while also seeking to tackle the structural barriers (such as market failures, unresponsive public services or prejudice and discrimination) that prevent some people from accessing the opportunities available to others
- A focus on early intervention and prevention wherever possible - to break the cycle of disadvantage
- A focus on providing work for those who can work, alongside support for those who can't - this should of course be sustainable work that lifts households out of poverty and provides real personal development opportunities
- A conviction that everyone - regardless of their circumstances - should be supported to achieve their potential
- The need for gendered analyses - and, where necessary, gendered approaches
- Targeted support for the most disadvantaged - but within a framework of universal service provision and a minimum 'offer' that we expect everyone to be able to access
- The promotion and adoption of partnership working and seamless service provision which effectively connects with individuals and successfully moves them through the system (with service providers focusing on what they do best and then passing people on) in order that, as far as is feasible, they make progress at every stage and do not become stuck in the 'revolving door' of support services, circulating in and out of poverty or work
- Delivery of sustained, holistic, personalised support which is client rather than provider-focused and equips individuals to sustain themselves into the future
- The adoption of policies and services that are founded upon user involvement, consultation with people experiencing poverty, and community engagement and empowerment, so that policies and practice are informed by the real experience of those whom we are trying to help
- Achievement of the right balance between closing the gap/tackling inequality and helping the very poorest in society
- The development of more active public engagement around poverty in Scotland as an issue which should concern us all and which requires action from the private as well as the public and third sectors
Key questions
34. Through the consultation process we will be seeking views on these principles.
- Are they the right ones?
- Are there others that we should be adopting?
- Is there potential for some to compete with others?
- How do we ensure that they are in turn adopted by key delivery bodies and agencies?
- Given that there is a finite resource available to deliver on these laudable aims, what is it feasible to expect and should we prioritise some over others?
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