Why we need to focus on the ‘How’ of Neighbourhood Working: Launching our new research programme

We need to focus on ‘how’ not ‘why’ for neighbourhood working.

The ‘neighbourhood’ is undeniably one of the central units of public service reform presently. With a rich tapestry of programmes around neighbourhood health, neighbourhood governance, neighbourhood policing and the more all-encompassing “neighbourhood working”, there is a strong convergence of change programmes and policy reforms.

In many ways, we are seeing an alignment of policy, with a range of concurrent reforms happening across public services supported by government investment through programmes such as Pride in Place. The case for change is strong – neighbourhood working delivers better citizen experiences, enables more preventative approaches, and is key to tackling entrenched and long-standing socio-economic and spatial inequalities.

However, we do also know from feedback from our engagement that councils and other local public services are ‘struggling to see the wood for the trees’ in terms of how these programmes connect and how they can be tangibly delivered on the ground. We also know this work is operationally challenging, with constrained resources and a challenging operating environment. More importantly, they also have to be effective and impactful for the communities they are designed to benefit. This can’t happen without a sustained and coordinated effort by councils and other local services. 

We also know from feedback from councils that, although neighbourhood working is not a ‘new’ idea or concept, mobilising this work as a whole-organisational priority remains challenging, especially with significant resource constraints and the added complexities of LGR, devolution and political changes. 

While the case for neighbourhood working is already strong, we must now focus on the ‘how’ to make it a sustainable, whole-council reality. Advocating for its importance is not enough; we need to now get into the detail of how councils and their partners are mobilising this work systematically and programatically.  

We are therefore thrilled to announce the launch of a new, sector-leading research programme in partnership with Browne Jacobson on The ‘How’ of Neighbourhood Working. Browne Jacobson has already shared their thoughts on this work, which you can see in their leading legal expertise here: Neighbourhood working: Policy to practice.

The missing middle: organisational enablers

What we’ve heard from councils – and what this research seeks to address – is the ‘missing middle’: the practical, organisational, and ‘behind the scenes’ mechanisms that allow neighbourhood working to flourish at scale and be embedded organisationally.

This research will encapsulate the “nuts and bolts” of what it means for Local Authorities to adopt a whole organisational approach to neighbourhood working, including through a focus on:

• Resource planning
• Organisational change
• Public engagement
• Decision making (officer and political)
• Member development and support
• Data, evidence and impact
• Workforce development
• Strategic partnerships

Our aim is to provide practical suggestions on the management, delivery, and governance of neighbourhood services, helping councils navigate the complexities of resource allocation, devolution, and integration with wider systems.

Participatory research with local authorities

We believe the most valuable insights come directly from local government practice. That is why our methodology is centred on qualitative, participatory research, involving a mixed cohort of councils to provide a rich, diverse range of perspectives through workshops, interviews and action learning. 

We are looking forward to publishing our findings and responses over the summer and autumn, ensuring we can focus primarily on the practical considerations for councils.

This isn’t merely about the successes of programme and change management for local government. This work is crucial for the success of many local and national flagship projects, the multibillion-pound Pride in Place programme, the government’s Plan for Neighbourhoods and the emerging requirements of the Devolution and Community Power Bill.

To learn more about this research, share your perspective or your council’s case studies on neighbourhood working or get involved in future projects, please contact [email protected].