Innovation in local government is about improving the lives of the people in our
communities. Browse through our case studies to see the many innovative programmes councils are involved
in.
In recognition that staff on the frontline, responding to COVID, faced challenges around uncertainty, working arrangements and personal anxiety, Adult Care Services set out a Wellbeing Plan that complemented the council-wide offer and aimed to support this unique workforce through the difficult period.
An exploration of how various stakeholders worked together to improve performance, strengthen relationships and help transform the Torbay health and care system.
The Our Way Leeds service was established in July 2020 to develop a citywide service for young people who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. It provides counselling, supported accommodation, pre-tenancy support and crisis intervention to young people, with a focus on mental health and wellbeing.
Devon County Council recognised the need to develop and expand its wellbeing offer in response to the pandemic. They wanted to establish a sustainable model for staff wellbeing, that would support staff to be happy and effective in their role, whilst also supporting our overall recruitment and retention of the workforce.
Commissioned by the council, the Derbyshire Autism Information and Advice Service is delivered by Citizens Advice Mid Mercia to offer free information and advice for Derbyshire’s community of people with autism and their families or carers.
These case studies on workforce planning; market sustainability and strategic commissioning; and discrimination and discriminatory abuse, form part of the Partners in Care and Health 2023-24 annual report.
Calderdale Council has set up a programme to tackle loneliness that is based in local communities – there are separate locality teams. Workers are employed to support local activities and groups and connect people referred into the programme with opportunities that suit them. One of the major strengths of the programme is that it is driven by local people who know their communities the best.
Leeds City Council has commissioned its 37 neighbourhood networks to help tackle social isolation and loneliness. They provide a range of support, which continued throughout the pandemic, helping hundreds of vulnerable and frail older people stay connected.
A Big Lottery funded programme aimed at tackling social isolation has been running in Middlesbrough for the past seven years. It has helped to fund a range of different activities across the borough for the over 50s. To help people access these activities, extra support has been put in place to make it easier for people to get out-and-about by working with public transport providers and businesses to create an age-friendly environment.