The big step - Thematic Partnership
What is it?
The big step was established to improve the opportunities available to young people leaving care and to address the inequalities they face. Activities focused on housing, employment and training, health and well-being, and social support.
Who are the partners?
The partnership structure of the big step has allowed statutory and voluntary agencies who each work with young adults in care in different capacities, to come together on a regular basis to focus solely on the overarching issues surrounding leaving care in Glasgow.
Key partners are:
• Public sector organisations including Greater Glasgow NHS, Glasgow City Council, Careers Scotland and the Job Centre Plus
• Voluntary organisations like Barnardos and The Princes Trust
• Local partnerships including the Glasgow Homelessness Partnership and Glasgow Anti Racist Alliance
• National organisations like the Scottish Refugee Council
• Local housing providers, including Glasgow Housing Association
Critical success factors
The big step partnership has focused on creating effective partnership working through:
• Communication - the size of the partnership means that clear communication is central to the continued success of the partnership. The partnership has therefore developed a clear, formal structure for communication – with a range of sub-groups focusing on particular issues. This sets a framework for joint working and communication across working and steering groups.
• Links with young people – building and maintaining strong relationships with children and young people has been a key strength of the partnership. The partnership has developed a culture which enables participation and empowerment at every level. As a result, children and young people‘s participation is at the core of all of the work undertaken by the Partnership.
