Communities First
Client Context
Northumberland County Council was embarking on a strategic change programme to identify council-wide savings of £20m, while radically rethinking the way local public services are delivered in the county in support of its primary objective to reduce inequality. Building on the success of previous community-based initiatives, we worked with the council to develop a Communities First approach, enhancing the role of prevention and early intervention as an alternative to residents entering high cost, high dependency services.
Our Approach
As Northumberland’s strategic partner, we worked collaboratively with council officers and representatives from other system partners to develop a place-based approach. This included:
Using service design techniques and co-production principles, we worked with service leads across the organisation to identify council services that could be devolved to local communities to deliver.
Working with the council, health, fire and rescue, education, sport and leisure and VCFSE partners to co-design a future model, including pooling assets, funding and resources around shared outcomes.
Assessment of existing investment in community-led initiatives and use of grant funding to see how this could be more effectively channelled.
Analysis of home care package costs for comparison against community-based initiatives.
Drawing on our experience of similar programmes nationally to help quantify the financial and social return on investment from community-based prevention initiatives.
Outputs and Outcomes
A Communities First Target Operating Model created the following benefits:
A shift in the presumption of service delivery by the council and other public bodies to local communities.
A prioritised roadmap of candidate services for devolution to community groups.
Savings opportunities of £1.7m by deflecting demand away from high dependency, high cost services.
Better value from grant funding through improved co-ordination of different funds around outcomes.
Reducing inequalities by shaping provision in communities around local need.
Reducing demand on high cost health and care services, while helping more people to live independently in their own homes for longer, supported by their local communities.
Increasing the capacity and capability of voluntary and community groups.
Better joining up pathways into and between services, with the council and between the council and partner organisations.
Positive impact on the wider determinants of health, such as skills and employability, housing and social isolation.
About Us
Human Engine is a leading management consultancy with specialisms in strategy, transformation, digital, commercial, procurement and projects.
Founded in 2018, we have partnered with more than 50 local authorities, central government, NHS organisations and national charities to help transform their strategies, operations and cultures.
Our mission is to help individuals and organisations to do the best work of their lives. We do this by blending first-hand, practical experience of the problems we help our clients solve with award-winning consulting expertise and an approach based on trust, collaboration and partnership.