Local Government Association

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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

Alison Jeffery: Reforming the mental health system for children and young people

This independent article from Alison Jeffery, Director for Children’s Services for East Sussex County Council is part of the LGA children and young people's mental health think piece series. Alison has written this piece in a personal capacity and explores the question 'what would a good 'whole system' set of services and policies to support mental health and wellbeing look like?'.

Cyber Unpacked

The LGA has developed a series of short explainer videos on cyber security topics, created specifically for non-technical members of staff in councils.

NSPCC’S Young People’s Board for Change: What can we do to develop a mental health system that works for children?

This independent article from Lola, a young person involved with NSPCC’S Young People’s Board for Change is part of the LGA children and young people's mental health think piece series. This independent piece from Lola's own personal experience explores of the mental health system explores what can we do to develop a mental health system that works for children?