« Previous | Contents | Next »
Listen
1 INTRODUCTION
External review
1.1 In January 2009 the Scottish Government commissioned the Saren Dixon Partnership to undertake an external review of the Scottish Drugs Forum ( SDF).
1.2 The review is part of a rolling programme of external reviews of voluntary organisations in receipt of major recurring grants from the Scottish Government. These are mainly focused on support for the national infrastructure of the voluntary sector: umbrella and representative bodies, as well as advice and support networks which support the development and delivery of third sector organisations.
1.3 SDF was subject to a previous external review which reported in 2001.
Aim and objectives
1.4 The overall aim of this review is to establish the effectiveness of SDF in delivering its aims and objectives, in particular the extent to which it provides value for money in respect of funding received from the Scottish Government; and to evaluate the current and future capacity of the organisation to deliver value for money in light of the new strategic approach to tackling drug use in Scotland.
1.5 The specific objectives are to:
- examine the performance of SDF in providing value for money in relation to all funding sources including a particular focus on the funding made available by the Scottish Government to support its core activities and specific projects/initiatives taken forward over the last 5 years, including an examination of the effectiveness of service user involvement in terms of what SDF was funded to deliver
- assess SDF's short and long term strategic planning processes; its performance in, and contribution to, developing the drugs strategy; and its future role in supporting the implementation of the recovery focused strategy and the central role of those with drug problems (e.g. the role of SDF in promoting service user involvement)
- assess the effectiveness of SDF's standing financial instructions, internal and external audit, staff and partnership arrangements
- identify key strengths, which can be built upon, and propose solutions to any weaknesses which need to be addressed, value for money ( VFM) for funders and key stakeholders and cost-effectiveness being a key feature.
The Scottish Drugs Forum
1.6 The SDF is the national non-governmental drugs policy and information agency working in partnership with government, the voluntary and statutory sectors and the wider community to reduce drug harm in Scotland.
1.7 SDF maintains that there is no single solution to Scotland's complex drugs problem, believing that drug use will only be tackled effectively in partnership and through a cohesive, co-ordinated multi-agency approach to the issue.
1.8 Membership of SDF is open to all organisations and individuals that support its aims and objectives. These are set out below:
SDF Aims and Objectives (from Strategic Plan 2006-09)
1.9 Aim: To support an improvement in the quality of all responses to drug use in Scotland.
Objectives:
- To support the empowerment of communities to respond to drug problems
- To ensure that service providers and policymakers are fully aware of the interests and concerns of those affected by drug use
- To assist the development of high quality services
- To promote service development/service changes to meet unrealised human and social potential of people with drug problems
- To undertake research and audits which assist in improving the response to drug use.
1.10 Aim: To improve the general level of understanding and awareness of drug issues among practitioners, drug users, their families and the wider community.
Objective:
- To disseminate information on drugs and drug related issues in order to spread best practice.
1.11 Aim: To act as a forum to develop and promote common responses to issues of concern and to represent SDF members.
Objectives:
- To promote common responses to issues of concern
- To work in partnership with government and government agencies to promote a cohesive response among agencies/organisations
- To develop SDF's membership base.
1.12 Aim: To develop SDF's capacity in line with existing and new demands.
Objectives:
- To ensure effective ongoing strategic planning
- To ensure effective corporate governance
- To ensure effective staff management and support.
« Previous | Contents | Next »