There has long been a strong commitment amongst local authority children’s services to working collaboratively to improve children and young people’s outcomes via data benchmarking, peer challenge activity and informal mentoring or support. This work has largely taken place using the nine DfE regions with structures and practical activities varying from place to place.
In 2017 the Association of Directors of Children’s Services (ADCS) began working with the Local Government Association (LGA), the Society of Local Authority Chief Executives (Solace) and the Department for Education (DfE) on plans to bring more coherence to these sector-led improvement arrangements. Regional Improvement and Innovation Alliances (RIIAs), which went live on 1 April 2019, are the result of these efforts.
RIIAs draw together local authority chief executives, lead members for children’s services, directors of children’s services and other senior leaders of children’s services in both local authorities and trusts in a bid to challenge and support each other collectively to be ambitious for all children, young people and families. These arrangements are built on the understanding that there is considerable expertise, knowledge and skills across the whole sector; that everyone has something to give and to learn.
RIIAs are a trusted, effective and coherent sector-led model underpinned by robust peer-review and challenge processes supported by inter-authority improvement offers and national offers including from the DfE’s nominated sector-led improvement partners and the LGA’s extensive sector-led improvement offer to councils. Each RIIA has a nominated lead director of children’s services, a lead member for children’s services and a lead chief executive as well as a DfE link advisor and a regional LGA advisor. All authorities in the region also sign up to a Memorandum of Understanding, clearly setting out how data will be shared, support will be given and received as well as the ways in which concerns about local policy, practice or processes will be addressed, and if necessary, escalated.
RIIAs are concerned with children’s services, safeguarding, SEND and family support. Members of each RIIA work together to identify shared priorities which in turn inform regional development plans for the coming year. There is a very clear sense of, and a commitment to, this common endeavour.
Our Values
Child-Centric Approach – Prioritise the well-being, safety, and best interests of children in all decision-making processes.
Collaboration – Foster a collaborative and inclusive environment, encouraging partnerships among various stakeholders, including government agencies, non-profits, and community organisations.
Continuous Improvement – Embrace a culture of ongoing learning and improvement, encouraging innovation and adaptability to enhance service delivery.
Transparency – Promote openness and transparency in all activities, ensuring clear communication and accountability.
Equity and Inclusion – Uphold principles of equity, diversity, and inclusion to ensure that services are accessible and responsive to the needs of all children, regardless of background or circumstances.
Evidence-Based Practice – Base decisions and interventions on solid evidence and research, ensuring that the services provided are effective and grounded in best practices.
Empowerment – Empower children, families, and communities to actively participate in decision-making processes and contribute to the design and improvement of services.
Flexibility – Embrace flexibility and adaptability to address evolving challenges and incorporate new ideas and technologies.
Cultural Competence – Acknowledge and respect diverse cultural backgrounds, recognising the importance of cultural competence in delivering effective and sensitive services.
Accountability – Establish clear accountability structures and mechanisms to ensure that all members of the alliance are responsible for delivering high-quality services and achieving agreed-upon goals.
Innovation – Encourage a culture of creativity and innovation, exploring new approaches and technologies to address emerging challenges and improve outcomes for children.
Sustainability – Consider the long-term impact and sustainability of initiatives, ensuring that improvements made are enduring and have lasting positive effects on children’s lives.
Resilience – Cultivate resilience in the face of challenges, promoting a mindset that views setbacks as opportunities for learning and improvement.
By embodying these values, our regional improvement and innovation alliance can create a strong foundation for positive, impactful, and sustainable change in the lives of children and families.