Discussion series: Early Help Learning Sets

In September 2014 IMPOWER and a select group of invited councils met for our first Early Help Learning Set. The idea was to bring together a group of professionals working on the front line of early intervention and prevention to work through some of the big issues facing the public sector in supporting children and families.

Over the next 12 months we ran five sessions attended by nine councils covering subjects as diverse as organisational structures, partnership working and extremism.

Attendees were able to gain insight into good practice and the latest thinking, had the opportunity to share experiences and ask advice, test ideas in a safe environment, take time out of the office to think through issues and solutions, and develop a network of people in similar roles.

After each session we wrote about what was discussed, common themes and lessons learnt. This paper is a collection of those articles, with some additional reflections.

Attendees told us that the sessions provided “some great insight both from other Councils and from IMPOWER; Material that wouldn’t be available from elsewhere” and created “a very useful space to test thinking and solutions, and have dialogue with knowledgeable colleagues”.

We’re excited to share some of the learning that took place during the Learning Sets. If you would like to discuss any of the ideas and issues raised, please get in touch: dcolbear@impower.co.uk