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.
Barking Riverside is an ambitious new development along the Thames Estuary, in an area that has historically seen limited investment. Multiple partners are currently delivering new homes, rail and river transport links, schools and services. As part of the development, a new health hub is being planned in an area where there is currently no GP provision.
To unlock the land needed for new housing, the existing school on the site had to remain operational while a new one was built. This required a complex, two-phase construction process, significantly increasing costs and threatening the viability of the entire scheme. In March 2021, a £900,000 capital grant from the Land Release Fund (LRF) - part of the One Public Estate programme - helped to make EdCity possible. The grant funded demolition of the old school and nursery buildings, removing a major financial barrier and enabling the project to continue.
The Best Start Family Hubs transformation is building on successful outreach efforts, including funding for voluntary organisations, targeted home learning, and community development programmes. These programmes aim to reach families in need, by providing services closer to their communities. The transformation is also focusing on capturing improvements in outcomes through family feedback surveys, case studies, and data tracking, with the goal of better connecting families with hub services and measuring the impact on individual children and families.
All Family Hubs previously known as Start Well Family Centres have worked hard to ensure that families are made to feel comfortable and welcome when visiting our venues. All venues have key information display boards which link to the provision of services and knowledge for our families to access.
Wigan Council has implemented a multi channel, highly visual engagement strategy to increase awareness and take up of Family Hub services. This includes large scale distribution of QR coded information cards, a new digital booking system, and community engagement with branding development.
Dudley Council, in partnership with BookTrust, is embedding the Bookstart programme across its Family Hub network to strengthen early language, literacy and school readiness. The programme is coordinated by Dudley Libraries, who have built networks across the region to identify the most effective routes to reach families most in need.
This case study outlines how Leicester City Council – including the Library Service and Family Hubs teams – are working together using BookTrust resources to promote early reading among families facing barriers to support.
Best Start Family Hub – Tudor Way is a key part of Worcestershire’s Best Start in Life Family Hubs programme, providing accessible, coordinated support for families with children aged 0–19 (or up to 25 for young people with SEND). Located in the Dines Green area of Worcester, the hub offers a welcoming, non stigmatising space where families can access help early, develop skills and confidence, and connect with services in their local community.
Halton Family Hubs introduced monthly Baby Showers towards the end of 2023 as an innovative approach to supporting families during pregnancy and early parenthood. The initiative aims to simplify how families access information, advice, and support at a time that can often feel overwhelming.