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Improvement Service
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The go-to organisation for local government improvement in Scotland. Supporting Scottish local government & partners to deliver better outcomes for communities. Celebrating 20th anniversary in 2025.
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improvserv.bsky.social
Join us next week for the Public Service Improvement Framework (PSIF) Learning Event!

🗓️ Date: Tuesday 18 November
🕥 Time: 10:30 – 12:00
💻 Location: Online via Microsoft Teams
📣 Join us for the Public Service Improvement Framework (PSIF) Learning Event! 🗓️ Date: Tuesday 18 November 2025 🕥 Time: 10:30 – 12:00 💻 Location: Online via Microsoft Teams This free online event brings together colleagues from across local government and Audit Scotland to share best practice and learning around self-assessment, Best Value, and continuous improvement. 👥 Speakers include: Thomas Boyle, Improvement Service Fiona Mitchell-Knight, Audit Scotland Pauline Moss, Renfrewshire Council Erin Neilson, Improvement Service Anna Steele & Megan Whyte, South Ayrshire Council We’ll also be hosting a group discussion on the future direction of PSIF ahead of the 2026 review. 📧 To book your place, email Erin.Neilson@improvementservice.org.uk
November 14, 2025 at 1:27 PM
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ICYMI: We're looking for a Data and Intelligence Project Manager to manage collection, analysis and presentation of data around early learning and childcare services.

Full time, fixed term
£43,068 - £49,992

Apply by 23 Nov

https://twp.ai/9PY3nC
A recruitment advertisement from the Improvement Service. The headline reads “We are recruiting: Data and Intelligence Project Manager.” The role is full-time and fixed term, based in Hybrid/Livingston, with a salary range of £43,068–£49,992. Main responsibilities include providing insight into the early learning and childcare sector, managing data collection, analysis, and presentation, maintaining and developing data tools and dashboards, analysing and reporting on data to identify trends, and leading new data and reporting projects. The advert directs applicants to visit www.improvementservice.org.uk for more information, apply via myjobscotland.gov.uk, or email recruitment@improvementservice.org.uk . The Improvement Service logo appears in the bottom right corner with the tagline “The ‘go to’ organisation for local government improvement in Scotland.”
November 13, 2025 at 6:44 PM
improvserv.bsky.social
The Scottish Climate Intelligence Service is excited to present at the COSLA Conference on Thursday at 5.15PM. The workshop will focus on the why and how of effective local climate action - and how SCIS empowers councils on the path to #NetZero.
COSLA flyer
November 11, 2025 at 5:33 PM
improvserv.bsky.social
The National Planning Improvement Team is asking how your planning authority can improve!

If you've interacted with a planning authority in the past year, please fill out this quick survey. Tell us what's working and where improvements can be made.

https://twp.ai/9PWvSq
Survey invitation from Improvement Service with simple illustrations of buildings and trees. Text reads: What are your views on how planning services are working? Please fill out our survey.
November 11, 2025 at 9:40 AM
improvserv.bsky.social
🆕 We're looking for a Data and Intelligence Project Manager to manage collection, analysis and presentation of data around early learning and childcare services.

Full time, fixed term
£43,068 - £49,992

Apply by 23 Nov

https://twp.ai/9PY3kg
A recruitment advertisement from the Improvement Service. The headline reads “We are recruiting: Data and Intelligence Project Manager.” The role is full-time and fixed term, based in Hybrid/Livingston, with a salary range of £43,068–£49,992. Main responsibilities include providing insight into the early learning and childcare sector, managing data collection, analysis, and presentation, maintaining and developing data tools and dashboards, analysing and reporting on data to identify trends, and leading new data and reporting projects. The advert directs applicants to visit www.improvementservice.org.uk for more information, apply via myjobscotland.gov.uk, or email recruitment@improvementservice.org.uk . The Improvement Service logo appears in the bottom right corner with the tagline “The ‘go to’ organisation for local government improvement in Scotland.”
November 10, 2025 at 9:02 AM
improvserv.bsky.social
Join us for the Public Service Improvement Framework (PSIF) Learning Event!

🗓️ Date: Tuesday 18 November
🕥 Time: 10:30 – 12:00
💻 Location: Online via Microsoft Teams
📣 Join us for the Public Service Improvement Framework (PSIF) Learning Event! 🗓️ Date: Tuesday 18 November 2025 🕥 Time: 10:30 – 12:00 💻 Location: Online via Microsoft Teams This free online event brings together colleagues from across local government and Audit Scotland to share best practice and learning around self-assessment, Best Value, and continuous improvement. 👥 Speakers include: Thomas Boyle, Improvement Service Fiona Mitchell-Knight, Audit Scotland Pauline Moss, Renfrewshire Council Erin Neilson, Improvement Service Anna Steele & Megan Whyte, South Ayrshire Council We’ll also be hosting a group discussion on the future direction of PSIF ahead of the 2026 review. 📧 To book your place, email Erin.Neilson@improvementservice.org.uk
November 5, 2025 at 5:00 PM
improvserv.bsky.social
🎉 Big news! The Improvement Service was nominated for two awards at the Scottish Ethnic Minority Talent Festival and Summit: the Talent Intelligence Award and Public Sector Team of the Year.

👉 Read more: https://twp.ai/9PWf5q
Members of the Improvement Service's Digital Public Service team at the awards ceremony.
October 29, 2025 at 1:10 PM
improvserv.bsky.social
🎉The Improvement Service is proud to highlight how West Dunbartonshire Council has transformed school‑family communications with https://twp.ai/Imr9Vn.

Read more: https://twp.ai/E6BuJj

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October 29, 2025 at 11:37 AM
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📬 The latest Improvement Service newsletter is out!

Don't miss out on key updates from across our organisation - including a major milestone for https://twp.ai/Imr9QR.

➡️ Read more: https://twp.ai/E6BuEN
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October 29, 2025 at 11:25 AM
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ICYMI: 1 in 4 children in Scotland live in poverty. Our new elected member briefing highlights how councils are tackling this through strategic, preventative action.

Read the briefing: https://twp.ai/9PXIkj
Promotion for the new elected member briefing note from the Improvement Service (IS) called 'Tackling Child Poverty: Learning from Local Child Poverty Action Reports'. The image features the front cover of the briefing and the IS logo. The strapline reads, 'the go-to organisation for local government improvement in Scotland'.
October 29, 2025 at 10:21 AM
improvserv.bsky.social
How are councils approaching workforce planning in early learning and childcare?

Join us for this national discovery session where you'll hear from councils about their experiences, challenges & opportunities.

📅 Weds 5 November, 10am-12pm
📍MS Teams

https://twp.ai/9PXNAr
Promotional graphic for the 'Early Learning and Childcare Workforce Planning Discovery Session' scheduled for 5 November from 10 am to 12 pm on MS Teams. The background features illustrated figures engaged in activities like reading, writing, and using a laptop, with gear icons symbolizing planning and collaboration. Logos for the Scottish Government and the Improvement Service (celebrating its 20th anniversary) appear at the bottom.
October 28, 2025 at 8:09 AM
improvserv.bsky.social
Join us for the Public Service Improvement Framework (PSIF) Learning Event!

🗓️ Date: Tuesday 18 November
🕥 Time: 10:30 – 12:00
💻 Location: Online via Microsoft Teams
📣 Join us for the Public Service Improvement Framework (PSIF) Learning Event! 🗓️ Date: Tuesday 18 November 2025 🕥 Time: 10:30 – 12:00 💻 Location: Online via Microsoft Teams This free online event brings together colleagues from across local government and Audit Scotland to share best practice and learning around self-assessment, Best Value, and continuous improvement. 👥 Speakers include: Thomas Boyle, Improvement Service Fiona Mitchell-Knight, Audit Scotland Pauline Moss, Renfrewshire Council Erin Neilson, Improvement Service Anna Steele & Megan Whyte, South Ayrshire Council We’ll also be hosting a group discussion on the future direction of PSIF ahead of the 2026 review. 📧 To book your place, email Erin.Neilson@improvementservice.org.uk
October 27, 2025 at 6:51 PM
improvserv.bsky.social
Over 1.5 million National Entitlement Card applications have now been made through https://twp.ai/Imr5VP.

Developed by the Improvement Service and TCS, the site makes applying for your NEC simple, fast, and fully online.

More info: https://twp.ai/E6BqJL
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October 22, 2025 at 2:44 PM
improvserv.bsky.social
Join us for our early learning and childcare workforce planning webinar

We'll explore how councils plan their workforce, challenges/opportunities and how we can take a more strategic, data-informed approach.

📅 Weds 5 November, 10am-12pm
📍MS Teams

https://twp.ai/9PXNAX
Promotional graphic for the 'Early Learning and Childcare Workforce Planning Discovery Session' scheduled for 5 November from 10 am to 12 pm on MS Teams. The background features illustrated figures engaged in activities like reading, writing, and using a laptop, with gear icons symbolizing planning and collaboration. Logos for the Scottish Government and the Improvement Service (celebrating its 20th anniversary) appear at the bottom.
October 22, 2025 at 11:49 AM
improvserv.bsky.social
The IS Evaluation team will be at #VHSConf25 in Glasgow on 28 October. Why not drop past our stand and say hello? #CollaborationForChange https://twp.ai/9PWcVi
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October 21, 2025 at 3:50 PM
improvserv.bsky.social
Have you interacted with a planning authority in the last year?

The National Planning Improvement team is looking for planning stakeholders/customers to fill out this quick survey. Tell us what's working and where improvements can be made.

https://twp.ai/9PWvQD
Survey invitation from Improvement Service with simple illustrations of buildings and trees. Text reads: Have you interacted with a Scottish planning authority in the last year? Please fill out our survey.
October 21, 2025 at 11:59 AM
improvserv.bsky.social
❗️Still time to apply for this role

We're looking for a Rural Child Poverty Project Officer to support local partners in their work to tackle child poverty in rural and island areas.

https://twp.ai/9PXBzt
Job advert for a Rural Child Poverty Project Officer with the Improvement Service. The job is full time, fixed term and is based in Livingston/hybrid working. The salary is £31,016 - £33,088 per year. Key responsibilities include: support the development and maintenance of strong, collaborative relationships with local partners; provide a secretariat function for the Remote, Rural and Island Child Poverty Network; support knowledge exchange including through preparation of information, reports, briefing papers and presentations; support the development of local understanding of the use of data and intelligence to understand and address child poverty. Find out the benefits of working for the Improvement Service at www.improvementservice.org.uk. Apply online at myjobscotland.gov.uk. Any questions? Contact recruitment@improvementservice.org.uk
October 21, 2025 at 7:23 AM
improvserv.bsky.social
📰 Read the latest Council Leaders newsletter from the Improvement Service, with updates and news from all our programmes and projects.

https://twp.ai/9PWNiI
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October 20, 2025 at 9:53 AM
improvserv.bsky.social
ICYMI: We're looking for a Rural Child Poverty Project Officer to support local partners in their work to tackle child poverty in rural and island areas.

https://twp.ai/9PXC1k
Job advert for a Rural Child Poverty Project Officer with the Improvement Service. The job is full time, fixed term and is based in Livingston/hybrid working. The salary is £31,016 - £33,088 per year. Key responsibilities include: support the development and maintenance of strong, collaborative relationships with local partners; provide a secretariat function for the Remote, Rural and Island Child Poverty Network; support knowledge exchange including through preparation of information, reports, briefing papers and presentations; support the development of local understanding of the use of data and intelligence to understand and address child poverty. Find out the benefits of working for the Improvement Service at www.improvementservice.org.uk. Apply online at myjobscotland.gov.uk. Any questions? Contact recruitment@improvementservice.org.uk
October 16, 2025 at 1:37 PM
improvserv.bsky.social
ICYMI: Over 340 collaborative projects are now underway or in development across Scotland’s local authorities — from shared services to strategic partnerships.

Read our new report on joint working across Scottish local government: https://twp.ai/9PXH4g
Promotion for the new Improvement Service Report, Collaborative Working Across Scottish Local Government. It shows the front cover of the report and the Improvement Service logo, along with the strapline 'the go-to organisation for local government improvement in Scotland'.
October 16, 2025 at 9:00 AM
improvserv.bsky.social
The Navigating Population Changes briefing sets out two solutions to addressing the impact of Scotland's changing population jobs and the economy:
- Rebalance population
- Maximise the potential of the existing workforce
https://twp.ai/9PXAC1
Illustration of four professionals — teacher, mechanic, nurse, and businessperson — are shown. Central text asks: 'How can we address how Scotland’s changing population impacts on jobs and the economy?' Title: 'BRIEFING Navigating Population Changes: Economic and workforce implications for Scotland.' Improvement Service logo in the top right corner.
October 15, 2025 at 9:00 AM
improvserv.bsky.social
Join us for our early learning and childcare workforce planning webinar

We'll explore how councils plan their workforce, challenges/opportunities and how we can take a more strategic, data-informed approach.

📅 Weds 5 November, 10am-12pm
📍MS Teams

https://twp.ai/9PXN9D
Promotional graphic for the 'Early Learning and Childcare Workforce Planning Discovery Session' scheduled for 5 November from 10 am to 12 pm on MS Teams. The background features illustrated figures engaged in activities like reading, writing, and using a laptop, with gear icons symbolizing planning and collaboration. Logos for the Scottish Government and the Improvement Service (celebrating its 20th anniversary) appear at the bottom.
October 14, 2025 at 5:21 PM
improvserv.bsky.social
Our latest briefing for elected members explores how councils are shifting from crisis response to long-term, joined-up strategies to reduce child poverty, with examples from across Scotland.

👉 Read the full briefing: https://twp.ai/9PXIkg
Promotion for the new elected member briefing note from the Improvement Service (IS) called 'Tackling Child Poverty: Learning from Local Child Poverty Action Reports'. The image features the front cover of the briefing and the IS logo. The strapline reads, 'the go-to organisation for local government improvement in Scotland'.
October 14, 2025 at 10:56 AM
improvserv.bsky.social
🆕 Rural Child Poverty Project Officer

We're looking for a project officer to support local partners in their work to tackle child poverty in rural and island areas.

https://twp.ai/9PXC1i
Job advert for a Rural Child Poverty Project Officer with the Improvement Service. The job is full time, fixed term and is based in Livingston/hybrid working. The salary is £31,016 - £33,088 per year. Key responsibilities include: support the development and maintenance of strong, collaborative relationships with local partners; provide a secretariat function for the Remote, Rural and Island Child Poverty Network; support knowledge exchange including through preparation of information, reports, briefing papers and presentations; support the development of local understanding of the use of data and intelligence to understand and address child poverty. Find out the benefits of working for the Improvement Service at www.improvementservice.org.uk. Apply online at myjobscotland.gov.uk. Any questions? Contact recruitment@improvementservice.org.uk
October 13, 2025 at 8:22 AM
improvserv.bsky.social
ICYMI: What does tackling poverty & inequality look like at the IS?

To mark #ChallengePovertyWeek, Gerard McCormack, Head of Transformation, Performance & Improvement, highlights some of our work to help councils tackle poverty and inequality.

https://twp.ai/9PXH7d
Photo of Gerard McCormack and quote from his blog: "Through many of our programmes, we're supporting local authorities and their partners to deliver whole systems, place-based and rights-based approaches to tackle inequality and prevent poverty. As part of Challenge Poverty Week, l'd like to highlight some of the poverty work Improvement Service is delivering and supporting."
October 12, 2025 at 2:31 PM