Supporting families in
West Dunbartonshire
West Dunbartonshire
Since 2021
4 local areas
7 partner primaries
Getting started
Our work begins with Discovery, a process that helps us understand local experiences and needs by combining data, research and insights from families, communities and professionals. We are giving local children a voice as part of our discovery process and exploring practical ways to support implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child locally for children aged 0-5.
Working alongside West Dunbartonshire Council and local partners, we use what we learn to identify priorities and opportunities for change. We then work with parents, carers and partners to co-design support that reflects local needs and builds on existing strengths.
What we found
More than half of parents and carers had concerns about their mental health.
What’s happening in West Dunbartonshire
Our work responds to local priorities and what families and partners tell us. Find out more.
I welcome this new initiative which will offer targeted support to our families in the first five years of parenthood, which is a critical time in their child’s development. I look forward to the programme progressing and seeing firsthand the difference this is going to make to families across West Dunbartonshire.”
Councillor Michelle McGinty,
Convener of Educational Services, West Dunbartonshire Council
Progress and learning in West Dunbartonshire
We use data, evaluation and local insight to understand what is changing, where progress is being made and what we still need to learn. The findings from our Discovery phase, combined with ongoing feedback from families, communities and partners, help shape and refine our work over time.
We will measure progress using healthy child development data from the 27 to 30-month and 4 to 5-year health reviews, alongside Achievement of Curriculum for Excellence Levels in literacy and numeracy.
By combining evidence, lived experience and learning from our co-designed work with local partners, we can understand what is making the greatest difference for children and families, while continuing to strengthen and improve support across the early years system.
Partnerships in West Dunbartonshire
Our work is shaped through partnership with West Dunbartonshire Council, local families, community organisations, schools, whole family support and health services and wider public sector partners. We have been supported by STV Children’s Appeal and the Ethos Foundation.
Together, we are building a stronger, more connected early years system that supports children and families from pregnancy to age five.