Audit Scotland works with other scrutiny bodies to make sure the scrutiny of public sector bodies is better targeted and more proportionate in relation to identified risks. The main focus of our development work is on local government, on behalf of the Accounts Commission.
Scrutiny coordination in local government is led by the Strategic Scrutiny Group (SSG). The SSG comprises Scotland's main public sector scrutiny bodies and aims to deliver efficient and effective, well-coordinated scrutiny that supports improvement. It is convened and chaired by the Accounts Commission and is supported by the Operational Sub-group (OSG).
The members of the SSG are set out below along with a link to their respective scrutiny plans, where available.
Click on the council name to see a summary of scrutiny activity from 2022/23:
Aberdeen City Council - Scrutiny programme
Scrutiny activity
Scrutiny body/bodies
Fieldwork/engagement dates
Engagement on homelessness services including temporary accommodation
Scottish Housing Regulator
2022/23
Engagement on Gypsy Traveller minimum site standards and/or fire safety
Scottish Housing Regulator
2022/23
Engagement on service quality
Scottish Housing Regulator
2022/23
Aberdeenshire Council - Scrutiny programme
Scrutiny activity
Scrutiny body/bodies
Fieldwork/engagement dates
Joint inspection of services for children and young people at risk of harm
Care Inspectorate, Healthcare Improvement Scotland, HM Inspectorate of Constabulary in Scotland, Education Scotland
2022/23
Engagement on homelessness services including assessment
Scottish Housing Regulator
2022/23
Angus Council - Scrutiny programme
Scrutiny activity
Scrutiny body/bodies
Fieldwork/engagement dates
Engagement on homelessness services including assessment and outcomes
Scottish Housing Regulator
2022/23
Joint inspection of adult support and protection
Care Inspectorate, HM Inspectorate of Constabulary in Scotland, Healthcare Improvement Scotland
2022/23
Argyll and Bute Council - Scrutiny programme
Scrutiny activity
Scrutiny body/bodies
Fieldwork/engagement dates
Engagement on homelessness services
Scottish Housing Regulator
2022/23
Clackmannanshire Council - Scrutiny programme
Scrutiny activity
Scrutiny body/bodies
Fieldwork/engagement dates
Engagement on homelessness services including assessment
Scottish Housing Regulator
2022/23
Engagement on Gypsy Traveller minimum site standards and/or fire safety
Scottish Housing Regulator
2022/23
East Service Delivery Area Inspection
His Majesty's Fire Service Inspectorate in Scotland
2022/23
Dumfries and Galloway Council - Scrutiny programme
Scrutiny activity
Scrutiny body/bodies
Fieldwork/engagement dates
Joint review of diversion from prosecution
HM Inspectorate of Prosecution in Scotland / HM Inspectorate of Constabulary in Scotland / HM Inspectorate of Prisons for Scotland / Care Inspectorate
August/September 2022
Engagement on homelessness services including access, assessment and outcomes
Scottish Housing Regulator
2022/23
Engagement on Gypsy Traveller minimum site standards and/or fire safety
Scottish Housing Regulator
2022/23
Dundee City Council - Scrutiny programme
Scrutiny activity
Scrutiny body/bodies
Fieldwork/engagement dates
Engagement on homelessness services including assessment, temporary accommodation and outcomes
Scottish Housing Regulator
2022/23
East Ayrshire Council - Scrutiny programme
Scrutiny activity
Scrutiny body/bodies
Fieldwork/engagement dates
Engagement on homelessness services including outcomes
Scottish Housing Regulator
2022/23
East Dunbartonshire Council - Scrutiny programme
Scrutiny activity
Scrutiny body/bodies
Fieldwork/engagement dates
Joint inspection of services for children and young people at risk of harm
Care Inspectorate, Healthcare Improvement Scotland, HM Inspectorate of Constabulary in Scotland, Education Scotland
2022/23
Engagement on homelessness services
Scottish Housing Regulator
2022/23
East Lothian Council - Scrutiny programme
Scrutiny activity
Scrutiny body/bodies
Fieldwork/engagement dates
Engagement on homelessness services including access, assessment, temporary accommodation and outcomes
Scottish Housing Regulator
2022/23
East Service Delivery Area Inspection
His Majesty's Fire Service Inspectorate in Scotland
2022/23
East Renfrewshire Council - Scrutiny programme
Scrutiny activity
Scrutiny body/bodies
Fieldwork/engagement dates
Joint inspection of services for children and young people at risk of harm
Care Inspectorate, Healthcare Improvement Scotland, HM Inspectorate of Constabulary in Scotland, Education Scotland
2022/23
Engagement on homelessness services
Scottish Housing Regulator
2022/23
City of Edinburgh Council - Scrutiny programme
Scrutiny activity
Scrutiny body/bodies
Fieldwork/engagement dates
Joint inspection of adult support and protection
Care Inspectorate, HM Inspectorate of Constabulary in Scotland, Healthcare Improvement Scotland
2022/23
Engagement on homelessness services including temporary accommodation
Scottish Housing Regulator
2022/23
Engagement on service quality
Scottish Housing Regulator
2022/23
East Service Delivery Area Inspection
His Majesty's Fire Service Inspectorate in Scotland
2022/23
Eilean Siar - Scrutiny programme
Scrutiny activity
Scrutiny body/bodies
Fieldwork/engagement dates
Engagement on homelessness services
Scottish Housing Regulator
2022/23
Falkirk Council - Scrutiny programme
Scrutiny activity
Scrutiny body/bodies
Fieldwork/engagement dates
Joint review of diversion from prosecution
HM Inspectorate of Prosecution in Scotland / HM Inspectorate of Constabulary in Scotland / HM Inspectorate of Prisons for Scotland / Care Inspectorate
August/September 2022
Engagement on homelessness services including assessment
Scottish Housing Regulator
2022/23
East Service Delivery Area Inspection
His Majesty's Fire Service Inspectorate in Scotland
2022/23
Fife Council - Scrutiny programme
Scrutiny activity
Scrutiny body/bodies
Fieldwork/engagement dates
Joint inspection of adult services
Care Inspectorate, Healthcare Improvement Scotland
2022/23
Engagement on homelessness services including access, assessment, temporary accommodation and outcomes
Scottish Housing Regulator
2022/23
Engagement on tenant and resident safety
Scottish Housing Regulator
2022/23
Glasgow City Council - Scrutiny programme
Scrutiny activity
Scrutiny body/bodies
Fieldwork/engagement dates
Joint inspection of adult support and protection
Care Inspectorate, HM Inspectorate of Constabulary in Scotland, Healthcare Improvement Scotland
2022/23
Engagement on homelessness services including access, assessment, temporary accommodation and outcomes
Scottish Housing Regulator
2022/23
Highlands Council - Scrutiny programme
Scrutiny activity
Scrutiny body/bodies
Fieldwork/engagement dates
Joint inspection of services for children and young people at risk of harm
Care Inspectorate, Healthcare Improvement Scotland, HM Inspectorate of Constabulary in Scotland, Education Scotland
2022/23
Engagement on homelessness services including temporary accommodation and outcomes
Scottish Housing Regulator
2022/23
Engagement on Gypsy Traveller minimum site standards and/or fire safety
Scottish Housing Regulator
2022/23
Inverclyde Council - Scrutiny programme
Scrutiny activity
Scrutiny body/bodies
Fieldwork/engagement dates
Engagement on homelessness services including assessment and outcomes
Scottish Housing Regulator
2022/23
Midlothian Council - Scrutiny programme
Scrutiny activity
Scrutiny body/bodies
Fieldwork/engagement dates
Engagement on homelessness services including temporary accommodation and outcomes
Scottish Housing Regulator
2022/23
Engagement on tenant and resident safety
Scottish Housing Regulator
2022/23
East Service Delivery Area Inspection
His Majesty's Fire Service Inspectorate in Scotland
2022/23
Moray Council - Scrutiny programme
Scrutiny activity
Scrutiny body/bodies
Fieldwork/engagement dates
Joint review of diversion from prosecution
HM Inspectorate of Prosecution in Scotland / HM Inspectorate of Constabulary in Scotland / HM Inspectorate of Prisons for Scotland / Care Inspectorate
August/September 2022
Engagement on homelessness services including assessment
Scottish Housing Regulator
2022/23
North Ayrshire Council - Scrutiny programme
Scrutiny activity
Scrutiny body/bodies
Fieldwork/engagement dates
Engagement on homelessness services
Scottish Housing Regulator
2022/23
North Lanarkshire Council - Scrutiny programme
Scrutiny activity
Scrutiny body/bodies
Fieldwork/engagement dates
Joint inspection of adult support and protection
Care Inspectorate, HM Inspectorate of Constabulary in Scotland, Healthcare Improvement Scotland
2022/23
Engagement on homelessness services including assessment
Scottish Housing Regulator
2022/23
Orkney Islands Council - Scrutiny programme
Scrutiny activity
Scrutiny body/bodies
Fieldwork/engagement dates
Engagement on homelessness services
Scottish Housing Regulator
2022/23
Perth and Kinross Council - Scrutiny programme
Scrutiny activity
Scrutiny body/bodies
Fieldwork/engagement dates
Joint inspection of adult support and protection
Care Inspectorate, HM Inspectorate of Constabulary in Scotland, Healthcare Improvement Scotland
2022/23
Engagement on homelessness services including outcomes
Scottish Housing Regulator
2022/23
Renfrewshire Council - Scrutiny programme
Scrutiny activity
Scrutiny body/bodies
Fieldwork/engagement dates
Engagement on homelessness services
Scottish Housing Regulator
2022/23
Scottish Borders Council - Scrutiny programme
Scrutiny activity
Scrutiny body/bodies
Fieldwork/engagement dates
Joint inspection of adult support and protection
Care Inspectorate, HM Inspectorate of Constabulary in Scotland, Healthcare Improvement Scotland
2022/23
Joint inspection of services for children and young people at risk of harm
Care Inspectorate, Healthcare Improvement Scotland, HM Inspectorate of Constabulary in Scotland, Education Scotland
2022/23
Engagement on homelessness services including assessment
Scottish Housing Regulator
2022/23
East Service Delivery Area Inspection
His Majesty's Fire Service Inspectorate in Scotland
2022/23
Shetland Islands Council - Scrutiny programme
Scrutiny activity
Scrutiny body/bodies
Fieldwork/engagement dates
Engagement on homelessness services including temporary accommodation and outcomes
Scottish Housing Regulator
2022/23
Engagement on service quality
Scottish Housing Regulator
2022/23
South Ayrshire Council - Scrutiny programme
Scrutiny activity
Scrutiny body/bodies
Fieldwork/engagement dates
Joint inspection of adult services
Care Inspectorate, Healthcare Improvement Scotland
2022/23
Engagement on homelessness services
Scottish Housing Regulator
2022/23
South Lanarkshire Council - Scrutiny programme
Scrutiny activity
Scrutiny body/bodies
Fieldwork/engagement dates
Joint inspection of adult support and protection
Care Inspectorate, HM Inspectorate of Constabulary in Scotland, Healthcare Improvement Scotland
2022/23
Joint review of diversion from prosecution
HM Inspectorate of Prosecution in Scotland / HM Inspectorate of Constabulary in Scotland / HM Inspectorate of Prisons for Scotland / Care Inspectorate
August/September 2022
Engagement on homelessness services including assessment
Scottish Housing Regulator
2022/23
Engagement on Gypsy Traveller minimum site standards and/or fire safety
Scottish Housing Regulator
2022/23
Stirling Council - Scrutiny programme
Scrutiny activity
Scrutiny body/bodies
Fieldwork/engagement dates
Engagement on homelessness services including assessment, temporary accommodation and outcomes
Scottish Housing Regulator
2022/23
East Service Delivery Area Inspection
His Majesty's Fire Service Inspectorate in Scotland
2022/23
West Dunbartonshire Council - Scrutiny programme
Scrutiny activity
Scrutiny body/bodies
Fieldwork/engagement dates
Engagement on homelessness services
Scottish Housing Regulator
2022/23
Engagement on service quality
Scottish Housing Regulator
2022/23
West Lothian Council - Scrutiny programme
Scrutiny activity
Scrutiny body/bodies
Fieldwork/engagement dates
Joint inspection of adult support and protection
Care Inspectorate, HM Inspectorate of Constabulary in Scotland, Healthcare Improvement Scotland
2022/23
Engagement on homelessness services
Scottish Housing Regulator
2022/23
East Service Delivery Area Inspection
His Majesty's Fire Service Inspectorate in Scotland
2022/23
Sharing intelligence
Shared Risk Assessment (SRA)
Scrutiny bodies share intelligence and agree scrutiny risks in each of Scotland's 32 councils using the shared risk assessment process (SRA). The process is designed to identify where we think scrutiny will make the most difference in terms of helping councils to improve and providing assurance to the public. It also provides a focus for more coordinated engagement between councils and scrutiny bodies.
Local government scrutiny bodies work together through local area networks (LANs) to share local intelligence and to carry out the SRA process. There are 32 LANs, one for each council area. The LAN is led by the council's appointed auditor.
The Sharing Intelligence for Health and Social Care Group
Data about health and social care services is shared and considered by the Sharing Intelligence for Health and Social Care Group. Audit Scotland works with the Care Inspectorate, Healthcare Improvement Scotland, the Mental Welfare Commission for Scotland, NHS Education for Scotland, Public Health Scotland and Scottish Public Services Ombudsman on this group which aims to:
provide a forum to identify potential or actual risks to the quality of health and social care and, where necessary, initiate further action in response to these risks, and
promote coordination of activity between these partner organisations, respecting the statutory responsibilities of each.
A wide range of our work is carried out collaboratively, for example joint inspections of services for children and young people and joint inspections of adult support and protection services. The SSG is committed to this approach and plans to explore broader opportunities for scrutiny collaboration around important issues facing councils and the public, where all scrutiny bodies have an interest.
Reports
Covid-19 has changed our lives. Responding to it has changed how public services are delivered and how we scrutinise them.
This paper, from the Strategic Scrutiny Group, sets out: key areas of risk facing the sectors we scrutinise; how we have adapted our approaches to scrutiny in response to Covid-19; how we plan to capitalise on the advances made in our working practices and how we can build on the increased joint-working that has taken place.
Principles for community empowerment
The Principles for community empowerment document, from the Strategic Scrutiny Group aims to raise awareness of community empowerment and promote such a shared understanding across scrutiny bodies to support high-quality scrutiny of community empowerment.
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