TSI Knowledge Network – Session 2

Featuring: Lead Scotland & Perth Citizens Advice Bureau

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27/11/2025

In this session, representatives from Lead Scotland and Perth Citizens Advice Bureau introduced their organisations and explored the ways they support individuals across Perth and Kinross. The discussion offered a valuable insight into the range of services available locally, with a focus on empowering people through access to information, guidance, and practical support.

The session highlighted the important role both organisations play within the third sector. Lead Scotland focuses on supporting people with disabilities and carers through accessible learning opportunities, employability support, and promoting independence. Perth Citizens Advice Bureau provides free, impartial, and confidential advice across a wide range of issues, including welfare, debt, housing, and employment. Together, the presentations reflected a shared commitment to reducing barriers and improving outcomes for individuals. A key theme throughout was the value of early support and the importance of connecting people with the right services at the right time. Attendees were encouraged to engage with both organisations and make use of the support available.

Featured Organisations

Lead Scotland

About:
Lead Scotland supports disabled people and carers by providing accessible learning opportunities, employability support, and helping individuals build confidence and independence. Their person-centred approach ensures that learning is tailored to individual goals, whether that’s developing skills, accessing education, or moving towards employment.

Highlight – Perth & Kinross Employability Project:

As part of their work, Lead Scotland delivers the Perth & Kinross Employability Project, which supports individuals aged 16–67 who face barriers to learning or employment. The project offers flexible, personalised support delivered either one-to-one or in group settings, at home or within the community.

Learners are supported by a dedicated Learning Coordinator to develop skills, confidence, and experience at a pace that suits them. Opportunities include:

Accredited qualifications (e.g. SQA, Adult Achievement Award)
Digital and informal learning
CV building and interview preparation
Job searching and volunteering opportunities
Travel training and independent living skills

The project is particularly suited to those at an early stage in their employability journey and focuses on building transferable skills such as communication, teamwork, and confidence.

Key Focus Areas:

Accessible, person-centred learning
Digital inclusion
Employability support
Confidence and skills development
Support for disabled people and carers

Contact Details:

Contacts: Katie Tolland, Danni Phoenix-Kane
Email: ktolland@lead.org.uk | dphoenix-kane@lead.org.uk
Tel: 07768917492
Website: www.lead.org.uk

Citizens Advice Bureau

About:
Perth Citizens Advice Bureau provides free, impartial, and confidential advice to help people resolve issues related to debt, housing, employment, benefits, and more.

Highlight – Support & Connect Approach

As part of their work, Perth Citizens Advice Bureau contributes to the Support & Connect approach, which focuses on delivering holistic, person-centred support. Rather than addressing a single issue in isolation, this approach helps identify a wider range of needs and ensures individuals are connected to the most appropriate services.

A key element of this work is the development of tools and training for frontline staff, helping them take a more preventative and informed approach when supporting clients. This includes the use of a Social Needs Screening Tool, designed to identify unmet needs and improve referral pathways across services.

The approach is further supported by the FORT shared referral system, which enables organisations to connect more effectively and coordinate support. With dozens of services involved and hundreds of referrals made, this system helps streamline communication, reduce duplication, and ensure individuals receive the right support at the right time.

Overall, the programme highlights the importance of collaboration across the third sector, demonstrating how joined-up working and early intervention can lead to improved outcomes for individuals and stronger community support networks.