Case studies

West Berkshire achieved rapid improvement in its children’s services leading to a turnaround from an inadequate inspection result in March 2015 to an overall good result in May 2017. One of the contributory factors was a Staff College Leadership Development Programme which was commissioned in consultation with the council by the Local Government Association in 2015.

The Royal Borough’s ambition, and challenge, is to continue to deliver integrated health, early help and specialist safeguarding services, which meet residents’ needs, against a backdrop of diminishing financial resources.

How can local authorities work together better to improve children’s outcomes and create a more innovative, responsive, and sustainable system for delivery?

A case study on the support provided by the London Borough of Hillingdon to support children with SEND, and their families, to ensure positive outcomes.

In January 2015, Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council went out to tender for the school nursing service and didn't receive any bidders. Between January and March, they did an options paper and Cabinet decided in March 2015 to transfer the service in-house and propose that they should subsequently explore also bringing health visiting in-house.

With budgets squeezed and stability in the workforce recognised as contributing to improved services and better outcomes for children, North Yorkshire County Council has concentrated on developing a strong, permanent workforce capable of delivering the best results for children.

This case study forms part of a children's public health transfer resource. On 1 August 2017, the council transferred all of its children’s services to a community interest company owned by the council and two other local authorities.  

In this briefing you will find examples of councils that are looking at innovative ways to provide support with a focus on children and families rather than static services, as well as more information about the scale of the problem and what steps can be taken.

A compilation of several local authority case studies.

 All children have health needs, and local authorities now have a major role in meeting these.