Case studies

Torbay Council wishes to influence the size and shape of its residential care home market for older people, desiring an expansion of alternatives to residential care in the future. The remaining care homes will provide more specialist services for people with complex needs and dementia. The project developed a multidimensional analysis to provide a view about the quality and viability of providers required in the future, to inform a market strategy for Torbay. This case study forms part of our productivity experts resource.

In the 2017/18 financial year, North East Lincolnshire Council followed the national trend of low fostering recruitment. In this year, our council approved just four foster carers. Using insights gathered with the public we were able to identify barriers and misconceptions that may be stopping individuals from pursuing fostering as a career and then tailor our messages around these findings.

Having secured the LGA Productivity Experts programme funding the council commissioned a review of the Community Link Service. This case study forms part of our productivity experts resource.

In Brighton a specialist teenage midwife is funded to work with young mothers. The midwife is able to see her clients more regularly than normal, providing valuable support that benefits this group during their pregnancy.

Family nurses have been using their skills to train up the wider workforce in support of young parents and families. So far over 100 staff, including health visitors, school nurses and early years workers, have been supported. This case study is an example of the work that councils are doing to support young parents.

Cornwall Council has commissioned a service to work with all young parents. For those with the most complex needs, such as those with a history of domestic abuse and child protection issues, there is a range of bespoke support available. This case study is an example of the work that councils are doing to support young parents.

The Family Nurse Partnership service has revamped its approach to smoking cessation by giving staff extra training and testing kits to improve the support they offer pregnant women. It seems to be working – twice as many are giving up by 36 weeks than were previously. This case study is an example of the work that councils are doing to support young parents.

The London Borough of Merton has encouraged its Family Nurse Partnership and health visiting service to work closely with local children’s centres. It has seen the number of young parents using the centres rapidly increase. This case study is an example of the work that councils are doing to support young parents.

A young parenting programme has been set up in North Yorkshire, led by specialist health visitors. It helps provide comprehensive one-to-one support for young parents and is filling an important gap following the decommissioning of the Family Nurse Partnership service. This case study is an example of the work that councils are doing to support young parents.

Walsall’s teenage pregnancy team works hard to keep its schoolaged clients in education. The team liaises closely with teachers to support pupils – and last year helped two-thirds stay in school. This case study is an example of the work that councils are doing to support young parents.