Gypsy/Traveller Accommodation Fund Evaluation

Local Authority and Stakeholder Information

What is the study about?

This study aims to evaluate the process and outcomes of the Gypsy/Traveller Accommodation Fund and the Interim Site Design Guide based on demonstration projects developed by Local Authorities. We would like to interview you as part of this evaluation.

Overall, the evaluation has three parts:

Process Evaluation: This part of the evaluation aims to understand the strengths of, and what could be improved in, the implementation of funding and site changes from the perspective of both residents and stakeholders. The focus is on practical ways to improve approaches at all stages of potential future projects including design and planning, community engagement and resident decant, procurement, commissioning, and build.
Outcome Evaluation: This part of the evaluation aims to understand if the objectives and intended outcomes of the fund were achieved, especially where these relate to the communities living on sites.
Interim Site Design Guide Evaluation: This part of the evaluation aims to understand the role the Interim Site Design Guide played in each of the funded sites, establish whether changes are required to the Design Guide going forward and if it is fit for purpose.

Who is conducting this study?

The Better Homes Division (BET) of Scottish Government, on behalf of the Directorate for Local Government and Housing, has commissioned the Diffley Partnership to conduct this research.

Who is funding the research?

This research is funded by the Scottish Government.

Why have I been invited to take part?

You have been invited to take part as you have been identified as someone within a local authority with a role in the delivery of a project as part of the Gypsy Traveller Accommodation Fund and Interim Site Design Guide.

Do I have to take part?

Participation is voluntary. This information sheet has been written to help you decide if you would like to take part. It is up to you and you alone whether you wish to take part.

It is important that you are able to give your informed consent before taking part in this study and you will have the opportunity to ask any questions in relation to the research before you provide your consent.

Please consider this Information Sheet and Privacy Notice in full before agreeing to take part. We welcome any further questions around the study and your participation, should you wish to know more. You can find our contact details at the end of this document.

If you do decide to take part, you will be free to withdraw from the study at any time up until the point where the data from your interview is analysed, without providing a reason, and with no negative consequences to you. Your data will also be withdrawn.

If you take part in an interview but decide, for any reason, that you no longer want to continue with the interview, you may wish to have your existing data – captured up to the point of interview stoppage – kept for analysis or withdrawn. You can also refuse to answer any question at any time without giving a reason why.

What would I be required to do?

You will take part in either one or two interviews, lasting around 60 minutes each, during which you will be asked a series of questions. The interviews will take place remotely via MS Teams or Zoom, and we are happy to provide assistance to anybody who struggles to use these platforms. We can also accommodate interviews by phone, where preferred.

We will be asking your local authority to take part in two interviews in total (one focussing on the development of the project, and one reflecting on how the project has turned out). It is okay if both interviews are not with the same person from your local authority as long as both people have the appropriate information and knowledge of the site projects.

These interviews will be recorded and transcribed, and all recordings and notes from the interviews will be held securely by the researchers and won’t be shared with anyone else. They will then be destroyed at the end of the project. The researcher(s) interviewing you may also take some notes while you speak.

What will the interviews cover?

The interviews will cover the following topics:

• Your role in the project
• The process of applying to the Gypsy/Traveller Accommodation Fund (e.g. what worked well and/or what could have been improved)
• Project design and development (e.g. the engagement process with communities and stakeholders)
• Use of the Interim Site Design Guide
• The process of tendering, decant and construction
• Outcomes and changes to the site (e.g. whether the final results aligned with initial plans)

The questions asked will vary depending on your role on the project and the stage that the project in your local authority is at.

Are there any benefits associated with taking part?

• Your input will be very useful in providing insight and learning about the Accommodation Fund and Site Design Guide, including key considerations, and positive and/or negative impacts around the process and outcome/s of the Fund and Site Design Guide that may help to improve processes/approaches for potential future funding or Gypsy Traveller site builds.
• Your input may also provide us with further useful information on the status of, and happenings on, site/s involved in the study to inform the ongoing evaluation.

Are there any drawbacks associated with taking part?

There is little substantial risk involved in your participation. One potential drawback of taking part is potential personal inconvenience, in taking up some of your time to arrange and carry out the interview. This Information Sheet and the accompanying Privacy Notice set out how we will securely handle and store any data you provide to us, thus mitigating risks associated with data handling.

Will my participation be confidential?

We may refer to the local authority area you are in to set out themes raised specific to your local authority. We will never name you as individual in reporting, nor in any discussions around findings.

Where can I find out about the results of the study?

Study findings will be analysed and included in a report for the Scottish Government, which shall be available upon publication after the study has ended.

What should I do if I have questions or concerns about this study?

If you have any questions or would like to take part in this study, you can contact Scott Edgar, Senior Research Manager at Diffley Partnership:

Email: [email protected]