How do we know Local Area Coordination works?
Since its inception in 1988 in Western Australia, there have been many evaluations that show, where it is designed properly with local people and there is strong, connected leadership there are very consistent positive outcomes.
In England and Wales there is a growing body of evidence on the outcomes for individuals, community and the service system. These are coming from evaluations on the active programmes.
The wider outcomes include:
- Reductions in referrals/visits to GP, A&E, adult care, mental health and safeguarding services; avoided housing evictions
- Reduced dependence on day services and better health outcomes
- Relationship developments across neighbourhoods leading to increased community capacity
- Independent Social Return on Investment (SROI) evaluations in Leicestershire (2017) Derby City (2016) and Thurrock (2015) Councils have shown at least £4 return for every £1 invested
- Swansea University (2016) Significant cost benefit of between 2:1 – 3:1 (plus cautious cost saving estimate of £1.2 million in 1st year of operation with 3 Coordinators)
- Contribution to system reform and culture change through cross system partnerships
People themselves report:
- Feeling less isolated through Increased valued, informal, support relationships
- Increasing capacity of families to continue in caring role,
- Improved access to information
- Improved access to specialist services, communities
- Support into volunteering, training and employment,
