Case studies

At the beginning of April 2020, North West ADASS network leads in the 23 member councils began discussing the possible mental health and wellbeing impacts of COVID-19, not just on the adult social care workforce in the council, but on those working for care providers and unpaid carers who may also be in employment.

Norfolk CC implemented a staff engagement survey with an underpinning research base, to understand the unique selling point for working in the public sector. 

With the help of Mind, Oxford City Council set about improving rates of sickness absence related to stress and anxiety by better equipping line mangers and staff to understand and talk about mental health issues at work.

Richmond and Wandsworth Councils have an agreement to share the workforce and staffing structure across the two boroughs. Over the last two years, the councils have reviewed the capacity of their public health workforce to understand its strengths and weaknesses in terms of the required skills and knowledge.

The public health team at Redbridge Council used the Standards as part of their re-structure process and in managing staff performance. The team also have plans to embed the Standards across the council more widely.

Durham County Council’s public health team went through the review and re-structure process in 2017. The team transitioned from the NHS to the council in 2013 and the review was needed to help the team be more embedded within the council.

Liverpool City Council’s public health team used the Standards widely to assess, guide and support their work across the five areas covered by the Standards.

Surrey County Council’s new Target Operating Model sets out the principle that structures (as a default) should be with six spans and six layers. The Community Protection, Transport & Environment Directorate used the DMA process to support the intelligent application of this principle. 

In May 2017, North Somerset Council added a new suite of financial wellbeing products to its employee benefits package. At no risk or cost to the council, they have already delivered an average saving of £1,029 for those who have taken advantage of them.

Hackney Council is the first local authority to launch salary-linked employee loans. In its first year the solution, provided by Salary Finance, has truly changed people’s lives.