London Children’s Services Practice Spotlight

Local Authority Children’s Services across London are working to transform the lives of children and families across the capital, both locally and through regional collaboration. This motivation binds us together and cements our connection to one another and the children, young people and families we serve.

London Innovation and Improvement Alliance (LiiA) are delighted to bring the Practice Spotlight to life, shining a light on London Children’s Services most innovative and impactive practice. All London Local Authorities are invited to submit examples of work that is making the biggest difference to children and families.

Championed by London for London

The Practice Spotlight initiative is championed by the Social Care Practice Leaders Network, endorsed by the Association of London Directors of Children’s Services (ALDCS) and delivered by London Innovation and Improvement Alliance (LiiA).

“We are very proud to be launching the Practice Spotlight initiative. We look forward to exploring all of the great practice happening in London and the people who make it possible. Not only in the Practice Spotlight intended to recognise the impact of local initiatives and innovations, but to also fuel our appetite for collaboration through shared learning. Collecting  excellent examples of practice and strengthening our networks is essential to ensure our shared ambitions for London’s children and their families can be realised.”

Social Care Practice Leaders Network

1. Reducing racial disparities and tackling racism, sponsored by the Leadership in Colour Reference Group

2. Impact for children with special educational needs and disabilities, sponsored by the London SEND Steering Group

This category is for those that are actively working to eliminate discrimination and disproportionality. Best practice examples may be related to innovations or improvements undertaken in recruitment and retention of the workforce, or directly related to practice with children and families. It is important to show how the initiative has had an impact for the workforce and/or children and families.

This category is for those that are actively working to make a positive impact on outcomes for children and families with special educational needs and disabilities. Best practice examples may relate to innovations or improvements in practice with children and their families and/or effective partnership working with schools, colleges, parents/carers, health bodies and other organisations. It is important to show how the initiative has had an impact for children and young people.

3. Building safety for young Londoners, sponsored by the London Adolescent Safeguarding Oversight Board

4. Supporting and strengthening the workforce, sponsored by the Workforce Steering Group

This category is for those that are actively working to make a positive difference to outcomes for children and young people through early support initiatives with those at risk of poor outcomes.  Best practice examples may relate to innovations or improvements in the identification of need and preventative intervention practices and approaches that demonstrates improved support for children and families at the earliest point. It is important to show how the initiative has improved outcomes for children and families, enabling them to thrive and reach their full potential.

This category is for those that are actively working to positively impact recruitment, retention and the experience of their workforce. Best practice examples may relate to innovations or improvements that embed equitable recruitment practices, demonstrate commitment to understanding and responding to the feedback and experience of staff, or enhanced training and development opportunities. It is important to show how the initiative has had a positive impact to the workforce and therefore their ability to support children and young people.

5. Delivering excellence for care leavers, sponsored by the Care Leavers Trust Board

6. Improving outcomes for children with complex needs who are in care or on the edge of care, sponsored by the Pan-London Placements Commissioning Panel

This category is for those that are working to make a positive difference to outcomes for care leavers.  Best practice examples  may relate to the development of new support offers,  innovative practice with care leavers, or partnership working.  It is important to show how the initiative has improved services and experiences for care leavers.

This category is for those that are actively working to improve outcomes and value for money for children who have complex needs and/or would have been in high cost placements. Best practice examples may relate to innovations or improvements that have improved the experience, quality and stability for children in residential care and/or that have demonstrated improvements in placement sufficiency, quality and value for money. It is important to show how the initiative has improved outcomes for children and young people.

7. Delivering together with health services, sponsored by the Children’s Social Care Practice Leaders

8. Making data speak for London’s children, sponsored by the Intelligence & Data Research Steering Group

This category is for those that are actively working to develop integrated working between Local Authorities and health organisations. Best practice examples  may relate to innovations or improvements that show effective engagement and partnership working that has made a difference to the collective responsibility for planning services, improving health for children and young people, and reducing inequalities. It is important to show how the initiative could  improve health outcomes and experiences for children and young people.

This category is for those that are actively working to use data and intelligence as the catalyst to make a positive difference to outcomes for children. Best practice examples may relate to innovations or improvements that show a creative use of data to provide fresh insights, build a robust picture and enable effective practice and/or demonstrate an impact in engagement levels through the introduction of data products, reports or visualisations. It is important to show how the initiative is   supporting improved outcomes for children and young people.

9. Delivering positive impact through early intervention, sponsored by the London Early Help Network

This category is for those that are actively working to make a positive difference to outcomes for children and young people through early support initiatives with those at risk of poor outcomes.  Best practice examples may relate to innovations or improvements in the identification of need and preventative intervention practices and approaches that demonstrates improved support for children and families at the earliest point. It is important to show how the initiative has improved outcomes for children and families, enabling them to thrive and reach their full potential.