Local Government Association

We are the national voice of local government, working with councils to support, promote and improve

Featured articles

Please select

HICM: Intermediate Care: Croydon

Overview

In 2017, Croydon Council, the local NHS Commissioning body, local health providers and voluntary organisations formed the One Croydon Alliance. They signed a legally binding 10 year agreement to work as one system, with shared goals and shared responsibility for local people’s wellbeing. The Alliance began by focusing on residents aged 65+, aiming to reduce avoidable hospital admissions, and help older people remain independent for as long as possible.

To guide the work, the partners committed to principles such as:

Case Study

HICM: Intermediate Care: Halton

Overview

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, Halton’s intermediate care provision was delivered through several separate services. These included the Rapid Access Rehabilitation Service, a Capacity and Demand Team, falls prevention team, hospital discharge teams and a Frailty team. While each service provided valuable support, they operated largely independently.

Case Study

HICM: Intermediate Care: Stoke and Staffordshire

Overview

Demand pressures and increasing costs were putting strain on the system, making it difficult to maintain service quality and meet the needs of service users efficiently. There was recognition that no single partner could deliver systemic improvement alone; effective collaboration across Stoke-on-Trent City Council, Staffordshire County Council and Midlands Partnership Foundation was essential for meaningful change. 

Action

Case Study

HICM: Intermediate Care: South Tyneside

Overview

The ‘Guiding You Home’ programme was established in 2025 as a collaboration between South Tyneside Council, Sunderland City Council, South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust; and North East and North Cumbria ICB. 
The programme sees multi-agency teams working collaboratively with ward staff, care homes and home-based care services to find more effective ways of working – with the focus on helping patients get discharged faster, or stay out of hospital altogether, with more help provided at home.  

Action

Case Study

HICM: Intermediate Care: Redcar and Cleveland

Overview

Redcar and Cleveland were experiencing discharge delays across the local system, and intermediate care bedded provision was not leading to return home as frequently as would be expected.

Action

Case Study

Children's Services resources and efficiency peer challenge guidance manual

This guidance manual is designed to help build an understanding of the purpose and methodology of a Children's Services resources and efficiency peer challenge. It is not intended to be prescriptive as each challenge will have its own individual features but the steps set out in the manual provide a firm base for ensuring that each peer challenge can be conducted successfully.

Circular NJC 5/24 - maternity pay

Maternity Pay Provides the updated wording to the occupational maternity pay scheme within the Scheme of Conditions (Grey Book) as a result of the NJC pay agreement 2024.

National Procurement Strategy 2022

The National Procurement Strategy sets out local government’s ambitions and priorities for the next four years, focusing on the three core themes: leadership, behaving commercially and achieving community benefits.

Procurement resources

There are a range of resources to support delivery of the National Procurement Strategy for Local Government in England.

Procurement networks

Details of procurement networks designed to provide members with a platform to discuss emerging procurement issues and trends impacting councils.