How do we know Local Area Coordination works?
Local Area Coordination started in 1988 in Western Australia and came to the England and Wales in 2009. Since then there have been 15 independent academic evaluations carried out on different English and Welsh programmes.
The findings have shown consistent impacts in line with the model’s aims:
System outcomes:
Reductions in:
- Visits to GP surgery and A&E.
- Dependence on formal health and social services.
- Referrals to Mental Health Team and Adult Social Care.
- Safeguarding concerns, people leaving safeguarding sooner.
- Evictions and costs to housing.
- Smoking and alcohol consumption.
- Dependence on day services.
- Out of area placements by bringing people home.
Evidence shows the model helps to simplify the system, drives integration, strengthens cross-system collaboration and creates shared system outcomes.
For people and communities:
- Increased informal and valued supportive relationships – reducing isolation.
- Increasing capacity of families to continue in a caring community.
- Greater confidence in the future.
- Better knowledge and connection with community.
- Improved access to information – choice and control.
- Better control over own
- Better resourced communities.
- Support into volunteering, training and employment.
- Preventing crises through early intervention and supporting people who do not meet statutory eligibility criteria.
- Improved access to specialist services.
Social Value created:
The evaluations including social return on investment (SROI) have shown Local Area Coordination generating at least £4 of social value for every £1 invested.
