The Scottish Government set the following outcomes for the funding provided to Early Years Scotland in 2021-22 and 2022-23 through the Children, Young People & Families Early Intervention Fund and Adult Learning & Empowering Communities Fund:

1. Children have improved quality of life.

2. More Early Years Professionals benefit from dedicated EYS membership support.

3. More Early Years Professionals have improved skills and knowledge.

4. Policy makers and practitioners have better understanding of the needs of children, families and the ELC community overall.

5. We will take steps to promote, respect, protect and fulfil the rights of children and young people and increase awareness of the UNCRC amongst our staff and stakeholders. We will also promote the UNCRC throughout the creation and development of our programmes, projects, policies and procedures in relation to this funding.

The Scottish Government did not provide any funding to Lochaber Sensory Care in 2022.

The Scottish Government did not provide any funding to Hayfield Limited in 2022.

We are currently working to establish the existing levels of awareness of stroke symptoms and FAST through polling research. More detailed research exploring awareness of stroke symptoms and FAST is planned following the conclusion of this work and this will help inform future public awareness campaign content.

The 2023 edition of The National Clinical Guideline for Stroke states that more research into improving public awareness, and the appropriate action upon suspecting a stroke, is needed. Regarding pre-hospital identification of stroke, the Guideline also states that further evidence is required before a recommendation regarding the use of other screening tools that screen for non-FAST stroke symptoms could be made.

We will regularly review this position based on the best available evidence. The National Advisory Committee for Stroke will be asked to review any emerging evidence regarding public awareness and stroke screening tools and provide advice to the Scottish Government regarding the most appropriate action.

The Scottish Government did not provide any funding directly to Relationships Scotland Borders in 2022.

Relationships Scotland operate a network of 21 Member Services across Scotland, including Relationships Scotland Borders.

In 2022, the Scottish Government provided Relationships Scotland with core funding via the Children, Young People and Families Early Intervention and Adult Learning & Empowering Communities third sector fund and with grant funding to provide child contact services.

Grampian Regional Equality Council receives funding from the Scottish Government’s Equality & Human Rights Fund (EHRF). High-level EHRF outcomes are set out in Grant Offer Letters, and are as follows:

• People with protected characteristics have increased influence in decisions that affect them;

• the Scottish Government has better access to data and depth of information about the experiences of people with protected characteristics;

• the experience of people with protected characteristics is increasingly used to inform the policy and practice of public bodies; and

• public services increasingly embed equality and human rights in their strategic planning and their day-to-day functions.

Inspiring Scotland are the fund managers for the EHRF, acting on behalf of the Scottish Government. Inspiring Scotland engage with organisations directly to agree on workplans and set specific objectives and outcomes.

No payments or funding was provided to the Royal Scottish Forestry Society in 2022.

Scottish Government officials are in regular contact with Falkirk Council officials, working collaboratively to ensure that the Grangemouth Flood Protection Scheme delivers for local communities and businesses.

Under the Flood Risk Management Act (2009), it is for local authorities to develop, design and deliver flood protection schemes within their area. It is therefore the responsibility of local authorities to predict the likely economic damages resulting from flooding in their areas as part of producing a robust business case for their proposed flood protection schemes. The Scottish Government will continue to work collaboratively with Falkirk Council and input where required to ensure that their estimates are robust and up to date.

The 2009 Flood Risk management Act allocates clear roles and responsibilities for managing flood risk in Scotland. In accordance with this the Scottish Government works in in partnership with local authorities. Local authorities are responsible for ensuring local accountability by leading on the preparation of local flood risk management plans, which supplement the national strategies prepared by SEPA and ensure actions are locally targeted and delivered.

The Grangemouth Flood Protection Scheme is exceptional in terms of scale and financial cost. As such it requires careful consideration and the Scottish Government will continue to work with Falkirk Council to ensure that the scheme brought forward delivers for the local community and economy.