Derby Local Area Co-ordination (LAC)

Lead service provider/commissioner

Name:

Derby City Council

Type of knowledge

Type of knowledge:

Project evaluation

Type of evaluation:

Interviews

Prevention service description

Local area coordinators take an asset-based approach to supporting people, looking at the skills and strengths of individuals, but also the people around them; they support or sometimes challenge people to draw upon their wider family network and/or connect them to sources of support that are already freely available, whilst also encouraging them, where possible, to also look at how they can support others. LAC workers also worked with local residents in Alvaston and Arboretum wards to develop ideas, initiatives and informal associations, to provide solutions where they did not yet exist. LAC aims to: help people to stay strong and safe; nurture valued and supportive relationships; build individual and family leadership; support local or non-service solutions wherever possible; build more welcoming inclusive and mutually supportive communities and contribute to making services more personal, flexible, accountable and efficient.

Local area coordinators make themselves available at easily accessible public spaces such as local libraries, church halls and community centres; places where there is low stigma associated with attendance. While promoting and facilitating community introductions and support, they also work with colleagues from across different statutory services such as adult social care, GPs, housing support, police and welfare support, receiving and making referrals onwards; they never provide services themselves.

Intervention/service type:

Information and advice; Low-level support

Target client group(s):

Older people; Adults with long-term health conditions; Adults with learning disabilities; Adults with mental health problems; Carers