Short summary
This page introduces the aims of implementing the national self-evaluation framework. It explains what councils are working towards and why a consistent, honest and rigorous approach is needed across local government in Scotland. The focus is on building a shared understanding of self-evaluation and what it looks like in practice. [See About section]
Key information
- Councils need rigorous and honest self-evaluation to support improvement.
- A single framework supports consistent practice and a shared language of quality.
- All councils aim to implement a consistent approach to light touch evaluation by 2027.
- Self-evaluation must be built into normal work, not treated as a separate task.
- This page introduces what implementation involves and what support is available
Where are we trying to get to?
Local authorities recognise that continuous improvement depends on rigorous and honest self-evaluation, supported by targeted and proportionate external scrutiny. Internal self-evaluation must be consistent, honest and robust. It should sit within normal work practices and be seen as a way to deliver high quality services, not as an administrative chore.
By 2027, councils across Scotland have committed to working towards a consistent approach to light touch evaluation across service areas. This creates a corporate overview that helps identify where deeper thematic evaluations are needed. If a council’s self-evaluation is demonstrably rigorous and consistent, scrutiny bodies can use it as a starting point for proportionate and risk-based quality assurance.
This page provides an overview of the self-evaluation process set out in the framework, key considerations for assessing readiness and information about available support.