Publication - Research and analysis

Preventative Budgeting Tool – Guidance

Published: 24 June 2026
From: Director for Strategy
Directorate: Strategy Directorate
Topic: Public sector
ISBN: 9781807752521

The Preventative Budgeting Tool and Guidance , developed by the Scottish Government Prevention Unit, walks partners through a method for identifying planned preventative spending in budgets.

Part of

Scottish Government Prevention Unit: publications and resources

Supporting documents

Annex A – Examples of Preventative Budget Classification in Different Sectors

A1: Health
Category	Examples
Primary Prevention	Immunisation programmes (e.g. childhood, flu, COVID-19) Population-wide health improvement programmes (physical activity, healthy weight, tobacco control) Sexual health promotion and condom distribution Public mental wellbeing campaigns Family Nurse Partnership Alcohol and drug harm prevention campaigns
Secondary Prevention	National screening programmes (breast, bowel, cervical) Early intervention mental health services Falls risk assessment and prevention programmes Alcohol brief interventions (ABI) Targeted smoking cessation services Early diabetes prevention programmes
Tertiary Prevention	Rehabilitation services (cardiac rehab, stroke rehab) Physiotherapy Relapse prevention services for substance use Specialist outpatient follow-up clinics
Enabling prevention	Training staff in prevention and early intervention activities Development of care pathways for early detection and prevention Data systems to support screening and recall Partnership working with local authorities and third sector to support at risk groups Programme design and evaluation for prevention initiatives
Acute/ responsive/ treatment	Accident and emergency Acute inpatient care Responsive primary care Emergency mental health crisis services Emergency surgery and trauma care Unscheduled care admissions Out-of-hours services
Other/ general service	Administrative and support services Estates, IT, HR, finance

A2: Childcare and education
Category	Examples
Primary Prevention	Curriculum for Excellence universal learning and teaching Whole-school health and wellbeing programmes (e.g. resilience, relationships, physical activity) Anti-bullying and positive behaviour whole-school approaches Digital inclusion initiatives for all pupils Universal preventative family support programmes (e.g., parenting workshops, family learning)
Secondary Prevention	Targeted literacy or numeracy interventions Early years intervention for developmental delay or speech and language concerns Targeted wellbeing or counselling support following concern Pupil Equity Funding targeted at early attainment gaps Early interventions for families showing stress, emerging neglect, or early indicators of risk
Tertiary Prevention	Behaviour support services for persistent or severe challenges Re-engagement services for long-term non-attendance
Enabling prevention	Professional learning in trauma-informed practice Training in early identification of additional support needs Partnership working with health, social work, and third sector Programme design and evaluation for early intervention initiatives
Acute/ responsive treatment	Crisis response following safeguarding concerns Emergency pupil placements Exclusion management and immediate reintegration planning Urgent child protection interventions (e.g. emergency foster or residential placements)
Other/ general service	Day-to-day school operations Examinations and qualifications administration School transport Estates, facilities, and ICT Corporate parenting responsibilities and statutory reporting

A3: Justice, Police and Fire
Category	Examples of Activities
Primary Prevention	Community policing and engagement activities School-based police education (e.g. substance use) Public awareness campaigns (fraud, road safety, hate crime) Public legal education Universal fire safety education and awareness campaigns
Secondary Prevention	Early intervention following first or low-level offending Diversion from prosecution referrals Targeted patrols in emerging hotspot areas Early domestic abuse interventions following initial incidents Targeted Home Fire Safety Visits for higher-risk households
Tertiary Prevention	Probation and statutory supervision Rehabilitation and behaviour-change programmes Throughcare and post-release support Repeat victim management Ongoing fire risk management for high-risk premises or repeat fire-setting behaviour
Enabling Prevention	Training in trauma-informed policing and practice Data, intelligence, and risk-profiling systems Workforce development for prevention and early intervention
Acute/ responsive/ treatment	Emergency response to incidents (999 calls) Active investigations and custody/detention Court proceedings and prosecution services Emergency child or victim protection actions Firefighting, rescue operations, and hazardous materials response Major incident and civil contingency response
Other / general Service	Court and justice system administration Station, estate, fleet, and equipment operations Corporate support services (HR, finance, ICT) Policy development and governance functions

A4: Economy
Category	Examples of Activities
Primary Prevention	Universal employability and skills development programmes Fair Work promotion and employer engagement Investment in active travel infrastructure Universal road safety campaigns and transport safety education Energy efficiency standards for new housing
Secondary Prevention	Targeted employability support for people at risk of unemployment Tenancy sustainment services triggered by early rent arrears Early homelessness prevention and mediation services Targeted road safety interventions in high-risk locations Preventative maintenance to avoid transport asset failure
Tertiary Prevention	Long-term unemployment programmes Supported employment for people with disabilities or long-term conditions Ongoing support for those who have experienced homelessness Major transport asset rehabilitation and life-extension works
Enabling Prevention	Workforce development and skills planning Strategic housing needs assessment and planning Housing standards Partnership working with employers, colleges, and third sector
Acute/ responsive/ treatment	Emergency homelessness accommodation Emergency repairs to unsafe housing Immediate response to transport incidents or infrastructure failure
Other / general Service	Core economic development services (e.g. enterprise promotion support) General infrastructure investment Public transport operations and subsidies Planning and development control

A5: Environment
Category	Examples of Activities
Primary Prevention	Emissions reduction through renewable energy deployment Energy efficiency and low-carbon standards in new buildings Active travel and sustainable transport infrastructure Natural capital protection and biodiversity conservation Waste reduction and circular economy initiatives Flood prevention and natural flood management schemes Climate literacy and public behaviour-change campaigns Peatland restoration
Secondary Prevention	Early adaptation measures for communities vulnerable to climate impacts Monitoring and early intervention for pollution or environmental degradation Targeted flood resilience measures in at-risk locations
Tertiary Prevention	Remediation of contaminated land and brownfield sites Long-term coastal protection and managed realignment Climate adaptation support for communities already experiencing repeated impacts
Enabling Prevention	Climate and emissions data systems and risk reporting Strategic climate change planning and policy development
Acute/ responsive/ treatment	Emergency response to flooding, storms, or environmental incidents Immediate pollution containment and clean-up Crisis energy support during extreme weather events Rapid response to infrastructure failure linked to climate impacts
Other / general Service	Waste collection and management services Agricultural subsidies

A6: Culture
Category	Examples of Activities
Primary Prevention	Community cultural participation initiatives Cultural education and outreach programmes Public campaigns promoting social cohesion, equality, and human rights Support for community languages and minority cultures
Secondary Prevention	Targeted cultural participation programmes for under-represented groups Targeted interventions to address early signs of community disengagement or exclusion
Tertiary Prevention	Protection and restoration of heritage assets following damage or decline
Enabling Prevention	Data collection and research on cultural participation and impact
Acute/ responsive/ treatment	N/A
Other / general Service	Grant administration and sponsorship management Events delivery and participation

Contact

Email: PreventionUnit@gov.scot

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