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.
The “2 Matters” award is an audit tool followed by face-to-face professional development over a period of several months. It offers support to all settings with provision for two-year-olds (schools, private and voluntary sector, and childminders).
Greater Manchester Combined Authority has been seeking to add value to the work of its 10 member councils by leading a whole system response to the cost of living pressures. This includes data gathering, sharing information, and practical advice for particular groups of residents.
During COVID-19, misinformation circulated among communities and there was some distrust of the council. Communities reported feeling disengaged from official sources. Through Community Champions - trusted voices from the community - Staffordshire County Council has built trust and capability within communities and used existing community networks to relay important health information.
Stroud District Council has fundamentally shifted its approach to community engagement. Having learned during COVID-19 that some communities were stepping into frontline service delivery without the necessary skills; the council focused on building capability within communities.
Birmingham City Council’s public health team wanted a new way to engage with the different faith communities in their area. Recognising the innately personal nature of faith and health, the council developed a series of community profiles which reflected the individual faiths and their practices.
Children and young people's mental health has been deteriorating increasingly fast since the COVID pandemic and has become a key area of concern for local authorities.
Within Leeds, there are some areas which have high levels of alcohol-related harm and alcohol-related anti-social behaviour (ASB). This data led to Leeds’ licensing and public health teams working together to develop an alcohol licensing data matrix.
The Essex Wellbeing Service offers eight weeks of behavioural support in person, by video, or over the phone to any smoker over the age of 12 who lives in the county.