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.
This case study is part of the publication, "Care and Health Career Academies: What good looks like". Care and health career academies are relatively new initiatives, and the national picture is constantly evolving. This project was undertaken to develop a better understanding of care and health career academies in England. It aims to share emerging learning on the development of academies and insights as to what good looks like.
To make this happen, a proposal was taken through the Council’s chief officer and key member groups and all Departmental Management Teams, for health considerations to be routinely embedded in key council decision-making processes.
Recognising that there is a relationship with the wider determinants, and that the council has control or a strong influence over these and related service areas, the City Council sought to apply a Health in All Policies (HiAP) approach to a new cross-council Tobacco, Alcohol and Drugs strategy, to optimise efficiency, effectiveness and outcomes.
South Norfolk and Broadland District Council appointed a Housing Solutions Officer - Early Intervention and Prevention Specialist to help deliver the council's objectives around homelessness.
The Somerset Preschool Lifestyle Activity and Skills for self Help programme aims to develop family-focused early intervention and prevention strategies, emphasising the importance of mental wellbeing alongside physical health.
Derby and Derbyshire faced significant challenges due to persistent high obesity rates in children. The solution involved formulating a childhood obesity strategy with two main objectives.
Leicester City Council has a good track record of delivering NHS Health Checks. The public health team take every opportunity to publicise them to local communities. They are currently exploring how digital technology could complement the existing offer.
West Sussex County Council works with a range of providers to deliver the NHS Health Check programme across the county. This includes offering checks in community settings such as libraries, village halls, workplaces and high-street hubs, as well as in clinical settings.
Hounslow uses a population health management framework to target public health services at people who would most benefit from them. A health outreach team travels around the borough engaging with residents about their health and delivering NHS Health Checks in the heart of local communities.