Scottish Government

In March 2009, the Scottish Government and the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA) jointly published their Framework for tackling antisocial behaviour, 'Promoting Positive Outcomes'.

The Framework has been drawn together following a thorough review of national antisocial behaviour policy and recognises that prevention and early and effective intervention should be at its heart.

The four pillars of the Framework are prevention, integration, engagement and communication.

The main findings of the review include the need to:

• place prevention and early and effective intervention at the heart of approaches to tackle antisocial behaviour
• address the causes of antisocial behaviour, such as drink, drugs and deprivation, and not just the symptoms
• promote positive behaviour and the work of role models and mentors as well as punish bad behaviour in an appropriate, proportionate and timely manner
• create more choices and chances for people to succeed, reducing the likelihood of them being involved in antisocial behaviour
• work better together locally to meet the needs of individuals and communities by integrating services

The ASB Implementation Plan, developed in consultation with partners, was published in October 2009. The plan presents activities across 3 key themes:

Information gathering and information sharing

• Developing an effective method of gathering information on what is happening locally
• Collecting and evaluating evidence on what works
• Unlocking knowledge and information for everyone

Supporting practitioners and partners

• Providing the foundation and tools to empower, inform and support activity locally
• Providing easy access to knowledge and information

Developing a coherent picture

• Joining up with other policy areas to ensure a coherent and cohesive approach
• Ensuring linkage to what is already in place rather than inventing something new

The ASB Implementation Plan identified the need for a clear communications strategy to underpin delivery across the above 3 themes.

The objectives of this communications strategy were detailed as follows:

To develop a cohesive and coherent media and communications strategy that will support the delivery of activities within this plan

To ensure effective coordination between local and national communications to tackle ASB

To empower and enable local practitioners to communicate more effectively with members of the public

Our approach to meeting these objectives is detailed in the ASB Implementation Communications Strategy. This strategy was developed in collaboration with key partners through the ASB Communications Steering Group and published on Monday 22nd March 2010.