Edinburgh Advice Network Event Planning Survey Results

Jo Baldock shares the results of the Edinburgh Advice Network (EAN) Event Planning Poll and next steps for planning the next series of events.

'We closed the EAN Event Planning Survey 2026 having received responses from a wide range of practitioners in the network.

There was a wide spread of preferences across the topics, however the following three topped the poll:

• Focus on Temporary Accommodation

• Social Security Scotland Decision Making and Appeals

• Supporting Ethnically Diverse Communities

See the full list below:

The survey also included a question on the biggest delivery challenges anticipated for 2026, with the most common response (50%) focusing on the challenge of demand outstripping capacity with insufficient funding to cope with these pressures. Cost of Living Impacts and challenges around staffing and recruitment were also highlighted.

Respondents overwhelmingly chose half-day or short (1-2 hour) sessions with a mix of both online and in person events as the preferred format for events. Opportunities to engage with government agencies and the local authority are the most popular types of events, with thematic workshops, policy insights/strategic updates, cross-sector events and networking also being popular.

The EAN Event Planning group will meet in the next few weeks to discuss the best approach to covering as many of the highest priority issues as possible, as well as also factoring in topics requested by the Edinburgh Advice Partnership (such as an Information Session on Discretionary Housing Payment changes) and remaining flexible on emerging issues.

If you have any ideas, suggestions or contributions that you would like to offer to help with event planning, please reach out to the Jo Baldock, Advice Network Coordinator at joanne.baldock@capitalcitypartnership.org'

You can read the summary report in the below pdf

Event Planning Survey Summary Report 2026.pdf

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