EUKN - United Kingdom - Tackling pockets of deprivation – Lessons from local authorities' social inclusion work

Tackling pockets of deprivation – Lessons from local authorities' social inclusion work

Introduction

This research reviews the approaches of fifteen urban and rural local authorities, not recognised as deprived by the Indices of Deprivation 2000, in addressing identified pockets of deprivation within their area.

Description

Research which reviews the approaches of fifteen urban and rural local authorities, which are not recognised as deprived by the Indices of Deprivation 2000, to identified pockets of deprivation within their area.

Case studies consider the funding of different approaches, partners involved and examine the different issues experienced by residents within these pockets of deprivation such as:

social exclusion;
unemployment;
lack of education or skills;
poor housing;
increased tendency to illness and disability and lack of cultural or leisure opportunities.

The research intends that the lessons learnt from these case studies will support other local authorities' management of similar issues.

Background information

Since 1997 the government's regeneration policy has mainly operated by targeting funding at the most deprived areas and aiming to encourage more innovative and joined up approaches to the delivery of services to meet the needs of resident's in such areas.

The Urban Commission, within the Local Government Association, commissioned this study to consider the issues experienced by local authorities not usually regarded as 'deprived', and so not in receipt of additional government funding, yet still have small areas of deprivation which they must tackle.

The case studies illustrate the different ways in which such local authorities have addressed the occurrence of such deprivation.

Methodology

Using the Indices of Deprivation 2000 and the Welsh Indices of Deprivation, the case studies were chosen from the 119 least deprived authorities in England along with the addition of seven of the least deprived Welsh authorities.

The approaches in both urban and rural local authorities were reviewed and a range of themes are covered by the case studies including:

anti-poverty strategies;
benefits take-up/debt management;
training, skills and employment;
community development;
transport, housing and young people.

Case study information was collected in the first half of 2003 with some authorities providing existing project and initiative information and others being interviewed.

Conclusions

Different approaches have been developed by local authorities, usually perceived as prosperous, to address small areas of deprivation which occur in their area. Although a strong partnership, evidence of good practice and local goodwill are important some risk remains if authorities experience difficulties in obtaining suitable venues or long-term funding.

Additional success factors include:

building on success;
involvement of residents;
working in partnership with local services to avoid competition or duplication;
extending target groups to secure additional funding;
making projects sustainable by training volunteers;
jointly bidding for funds with other authorities and decreasing costs by collocation of resources.

Contact info

Local Government Association
Phone: +(44)20 7664 3131
info@lga.gov.uk

Publication date

Project finished

/07/2003

Researcher

Local Government Association

Article info
ISBN: 1 84049 337 2

Links

Visit the Local Government Association website

Download the 'Tackling pockets of deprivation' Report (PDF, Eng 200 KB)

Document type

research

Themes

Urban Policy

Keywords

Social inclusion & integration, Economy knowledge & employment