Page 12 - Strategic Plan 24-29

OPERATING ENVIRONMENT

Like many other Third Sector organisations, we are operating in an ever changing,
challenging environment. The key factors impacting us and our services are:

• Public Sector Cuts: reduced supports and services for vulnerable families -
especially preventative/early intervention initiatives; higher tariffs for support;

increased referrals to us as a result; an increase in families complexity and level of
needs as a result; reduction (cut) in our Council funding.

• Post Covid Impact: developmental delays in young children; attachment issues;
increased social anxiety; poor mental health (all ages); increased isolation;
increased domestic abuse.

• Cost of Living Crisis: increased stress; increased debt; loss of agency; poor mental
and physical health; increased fuel poverty; increased food insecurity; poor

nutrition; parents going without; feelings of shame.

• Mental Health Crisis: a direct result from all of the previous 3 issues, combined

with inaccessibility of NHS supports/appointments.

• Third Sector Funding: increased pressure on charitable funders/trusts making it

harder to secure grants.

• ELC: there are number of factors affecting our early learning & childcare provision:

 The Scottish Government’s 1,140 hours and further planned expansion

 Reduced demand for SACC (down 38% from pre-Covid!), resulting from:

 New hybrid working patterns and parents splitting shifts/childcare

 The cost of childcare, especially in the current difficult climate

 The rise of so called “activity clubs” undercutting regulated services

 Increasing competition for both customers and staff

Having laid out all of the above, we feel that we are well positioned to navigate all of
the above and to continue to deliver services that make a positive impact.