Local Area Coordination in England and Wales
January 2024
Updates on Local Area Coordination, the work of the Network and
the areas implementing the approach.
In this edition we’ll be covering:
- Hello and Welcome
- ‘Looking Back on 2023’
- Publications
- Vacancies
- Events, Training & Campaigns
- Useful Blogs
- New Social Leaders
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A note from from Nick Sinclair,
Director of the Local Area Coordination Network 
Greetings, dear readers! Nick here. We hope this finds you in good spirits. A big thank you as always to the incredible Lily for putting together this monthly newsletter.
Our year kicked off with a burst of energy, and we’re thrilled to share some of the exciting happenings with you. South Tyneside and Oxfordshire, our new areas, are buzzing with activity as they embark on the journey of recruiting their first ever Local Area Coordinators.
Whitburn’s Vibrant Community Conversations
Last week, we held a great workshop at the Barnes Institute in Whitburn, where Hazel, Diane, and locals gathered to discuss Local Area Coordination. The discussions ranged from the purpose of the role to its potential impact on the local area, with people sharing their support and ideas. The role is currently out for advert, and the team have already had some brilliant conversations with interested applicants before the community interviewing process next month.
Oxfordshire’s Leadership Group
Meanwhile, the Oxfordshire Local Area Coordination Leadership Group engaged in a thought-provoking session exploring methods to evaluate their upcoming LAC work. The conversation delved into the best systems for recording anticipated core outcomes, and the significance of Shared Agreements in fostering longer-term and intentional relationships. One leader astutely remarked that Local Area Coordination is proven, and so now the challenge lies in evolving and improving. Like South Tyneside, Oxfordshire is also on the hunt for their first two Local Area Coordinators, with the first role in Bicester (East) out for advert now too.
Cost Consequence Framework
The concluding NIHR funded research into LAC is now focused on developing a robust cost consequence framework. Recently we’ve been getting ready for an in-depth exploration with the evaluation team, aiming to unveil a framework that showcases the full value of Local Area Coordination, including the financial aspects. Stay tuned for more updates on that!
Beyond all that this month, we’ve been carrying on inducting fabulous new Local Area Coordinators, delivering workshops, arranging gatherings, and supporting conversations with potential new areas etc. We’ve also been having some very interesting conversations with the Government following our Network’s roundtable for the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) in December – more to follow on that at a later date!
Finally, I was reminded at the end of last year ‘to be bold’ (thanks Relationships Project!) I’ve really taken that to heart as we head into 2024. Whilst this year is probably going to be one of the toughest yet in terms of local government finances, there has never been a time that our work has been needed more so we have to be bolder in making the case!
Enjoy the newsletter!
Nick Sinclair