The evaluation of Local Area Coordination in Neath Port Talbot and Swansea by Swansea University, in partnership with the Western Bay Health and Social Care Programme has been published.
Swansea University Local Area Coordination Evaluation Report 2017
It is a formative evaluation of the work in the period July 2015 – April 2016 (when Local Area Coordination was mostly active in Swansea) but in that period identifies significant positive outcomes for people, communities and local finances.
These include
- financial benefits of £800k-£1.2m (benefit cost ration of between 2:1 and 3:1), based on most conservative assessments
- expected benefits rising to between 3:1 to 4:1 when embedded within communities and partnerships established with services and partners
- the development of strong and enduring personal networks alongside individuals/families and across communities, with these connections being sustained without ongoing Local Area Coordination involvement – reducing isolation and building local resilience and control.
- demonstration that Local Area Coordinators are having a positive, sustainable effect alongside local people – moving from initial introductions through to active collaboration and positive outcomes
- the positive impact alongside people from a wide variety of backgrounds and situations, in particular supporting people to overcome loneliness and isolation and alongside people with very complex life situations
- Local Area Coordination “tackling a broad range of social and personal issues”
- Local Area Coordination “adding value across a range of public service pressures”
The evaluation also highlights some key factors in creating the conditions for strong, consistent outcomes at the individual, family and community levels.
There are also strong recommendations to support the further development of Local Area Coordination design and practice.
We will as a Network with our members to incorporate this learning in their practice and development
Have a look at all of the Local Area Coordination evaluations here