Children's Services

CASE STUDIES

Torbay Council - Co-Production of Early Help Model

A co-produced Early Help Model in Torbay strengthened local partnerships, established a Hub and Spoke delivery network, and supported the Council’s journey from “Inadequate” to “Good” by improving coordination, reducing referrals, and enhancing outcomes for children and families.

London Borough of Richmond Upon Thames - Full Review of the End-to-End Home to School Transport Service

A full review of Richmond’s Home to School Transport service identified opportunities to improve efficiency, enhance supplier engagement, and increase personal travel budget uptake, with recommended changes offering potential savings of up to 11%.

Gateshead Council - Home-to-School Transport SEND Review

A comprehensive review of Gateshead’s SEND Home-to-School Transport identified policy updates, technology improvements, and alternative delivery options, achieving around 9% savings while ensuring future service sustainability.

Sefton Council - Implementing the Conversational Model in the Front Door

Implementing the Conversational Model at Sefton’s Front Door improved partner communication, streamlined decision-making, and reduced delays, leading to more proportionate responses and positive feedback from practitioners.

Wokingham Borough Council - Securing Stability and SEND Outcomes Through the Safety Valve Programme

Wokingham Borough Council secured a £20m Safety Valve agreement by reshaping partnership governance, reducing EHCP requests by 15%, improving support for children with SEND, and fully achieving Accelerated Progress Plan goals.

Southend-on-Sea City Council - Strategic Commissioning and Brokerage Review

A review of Southend-on-Sea City Council’s commissioning and brokerage function identified over £4 million in savings, improved placement decision-making, and delivered immediate and long-term improvements to outcomes for children and young people.

Somerset Council - Transforming Children’s Services: Reducing Costs and Improving Outcomes

A focused review of Children’s Services led to an £11m savings plan, £4m in new health funding, and a transformation programme improving collaboration, service delivery, and financial oversight.

Cumberland Council - SEND Inspection Diagnostic Support

Cumberland Council strengthened its inspection readiness, unified strategic priorities, and adopted over 30 system-wide improvements—enhancing EHCP quality, multi-agency working, and co-production ahead of its upcoming SEND inspection.

Surrey County Council - Commissioning Model for Travel Assistance

By reshaping commissioning practices and reviewing transport systems, Surrey County Council achieved £3.5m in planned savings, £600k through mileage rate changes, and a 7% overall cost reduction.

Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council - Redesigning Transitions: A Person-Centred Approach

An in-depth assessment of transitions from Children’s to Adult Social Care identified key challenges and delivered strategic clarity, improved pathways, and enhanced commissioning to support earlier planning, better outcomes, and a person-centred approach.

Gloucestershire County Council - SEND Joint Commissioning and Complex Care

Gloucestershire developed a clear, collaborative Joint Commissioning Strategy and defined its complex needs cohort, enabling more effective, joined-up support for children and young people and achieving improved outcomes with greater cost-efficiency.

CASE STUDIES