'Places that work'

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OPM is launching a new stream of work to support local authorities and partnerships ambitious to create ‘Places that Work’, effectively tackling the social and economic problems they face.

Over the next few months we will be putting in place an evidence-based practice exchange programme for executive portfolio-holders and senior managers at the leading edge of thinking.

We intend to work initially across the following areas:

Better use of evidence and data
Social cohesion and equalities
Built environment/carbon footprint/housing/regeneration
Future of social care
Neighbourhoods
Worklessness and skills
Young people

Place-shaping – from talking to doing!

A lot of attention has been paid to governance and partnership process, and important social outcomes have been identified, but many localities struggle to identify the interventions that will make a radical difference. While the papers and the statistics pile up, there is little time for the deep, creative thinking that could craft workable solutions to deep-seated problems. We are convinced that solutions to complex problems will only work if they are devised and implemented locally, but those responsible for coming up with those solutions need to explore alternatives, exchange notes on successes and failures, test out new ideas and just have 'time to think'.

We intend, over the next year, to provide 'places to think' and practical support to politicians and managers who are grappling with difficult economic and social problems.

Join our network and find a place to think

Over the next few months we will be posting the project details of each one of these work streams, contact numbers, questions and proposals, and we will be posting working papers and background documents we are finding useful. We are hoping to develop a network of contacts in local authorities and local agencies around each work-stream, so if you’d like to get involved, either on line, or by attending events, let us know.

We will be setting up both real and virtual conversations on each of these topics, but we are also open to suggestions about ways to develop these conversations regionally and locally.

The programme may well include a series of national events, such as workshops, learning sets and practice-exchange events, but we would also be able to work alongside partners or sponsors to create events at regional or local level.

If you have any suggestions or ideas please contact us.

If you have any suggestions or ideas you'd like to raise with us, or would like to know more, please email Sue Goss