Double award win for Renfrewshire

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Renfrewshire Council has scooped a double win at this year's CoSLA Excellence Awards with Social Work's Family Matters project and the Workforce Plus Public Sector Academy both picking up awards.

The awards recognise excellence among all 32 local authorities in Scotland.

The Workforce Plus Public Sector Academy won gold in the Securing a Workforce for the future category.

The academy offers employment opportunities at Renfrewshire Council to people who are long term unemployed.

Since 2007, 36 long term unemployed people have been successfully employed through the programme. Many of these people had previously struggled to find or keep a job because of personal or health issues.

Renfrewshire Council Leader Derek Mackay said, "With the Public Sector Academy, the council is leading by example by recognising the enormous potential of those people who want to work but, for a range reasons, find themselves farthest away from the labour market.

"The response to the programme has been extremely positive with new recruits being highly motivated and eager to prove themselves. Perhaps most significantly, council departments are continuing to get involved and plans are in place to expand the programme to other organisations in coming years."

The Family Matters project, which offers early intervention and intensive support to the most vulnerable families in Renfrewshire, won the overall award for best team.

The service supports expectant mothers and people who care for young children who are struggling with drink or drug addiction, mental health problems, learning disabilities or their own bad experiences with their parents.

Councillor Mackay added, "Family Matters is an excellent project which involves a high level of partnership working so it is great that it has been named best team.

"The project helps some of Renfrewshire's most vulnerable young children get every opportunity to achieve their potential. Around 375 individuals receive a service from Family Matters at any one time, ranging from ante-natal care for pregnant women experiencing addiction to delivering a healthy relationship programme in a school for pupils with additional support needs. Support is tailored to meet each individual's specific needs."

Renfrewshire's Local Area Committees were also a finalist at the awards.

Councillor Mackay added, "I am delighted and very proud that once again Renfrewshire Council has been recognised for leading the way on such important issues for communities. I'd like to congratulate all the people who have worked extremely hard on these projects to make them as successful as they are."

Press release issued: Friday 5 March 2010