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.
Recognising that helping families across the whole of Cambridgeshire could lead to better outcomes, Cambridgeshire County Council and Peterborough City Council began working together on an Early Years Strategy in 2017, in partnership with colleagues across the children’s health system and communities.
The Family and Baby (FAB) Project, funded through the Family Hubs Programme, supports families with babies in neonatal care across Lincolnshire. Operating from Lincoln and Boston Neonatal Units, the FAB team provides early, relationship-based support to improve attachment, infant development, and parental wellbeing.
Halton Borough Council has developed a comprehensive strategy to embed father-inclusive practice across its Family Hubs and partner services. Recognising fathers as vital caregivers, the initiative promotes inclusive language, tailored service design, staff training, and community collaboration. The strategy includes flexible programming, digital engagement, and policy reform to improve access and outcomes.
Queen’s Park Family Hub is one of three family hubs in the City of Westminster. Each hub has different leadership arrangements, which reflect the communities they each serve whilst the underpinning governance arrangements are the same. The integration of services at place are seen as vital in all of the hubs and this is strengthened by a local integrated leadership team around each hub.
The Barnet KidsTime Workshop offers an evidence-based intervention that is aligned with the NHS 10-year plan and strategic objectives relating to Family First for Children, Best Start for Life, and Neighbourhood Health.
The Solihull Family Hub App is a digital platform designed to connect families with local services, support, and activities. Currently available in 19 community languages (more can be added), the app ensures accessibility and inclusion for Solihull’s diverse population.
Coventry City Council, along with the multiagency partnership, has developed a city-wide model of integrated family support through eight Family Hub locations.
The Health Equity Teams (HET) programme in Lewisham was developed to address racial health inequalities identified in the Birmingham and Lewisham African and Caribbean Health Inequalities (BLACHIR) report.
Early Support Group (ESG) was delivered by Children’s Centre’s practitioners prior to Family Hubs funding, so is part of our core offer.
In 2022 Derby City received Family Hubs funding and commissioned the Speech and Language Therapy (SALT) service to support the delivery of the Neurodiverse pathway, that surrounds ESG.
The Public Health team within Hackney Council is working with partners across maternity and children’s services to promote holistic awareness and support for foetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD)--an often overlooked and underdiagnosed health condition affecting children and families exposed to alcohol during pregnancy.