Wellbeing


Watchdog warns Public Service Boards must change to realise full potential 08/10/2019 Public Service Boards (PSBs) are not being used to their full potential or scrutinised properly, a new report has found today.
How accommodation can support student wellbeing 09/09/2019 The number of students seeking mental health support while studying at university has increased by more than 50% in the last five years – and their accommodation can play a huge part in this. Zachary Spire explains.
Launch of £5m fund to support unpaid carers 12/06/2019 A new pot of government money will help promote the health and wellbeing of people who look after others, according to minister for care Caroline Dinenage.
Primary schools to teach about mental wellbeing 26/02/2019 The Department for Education has announced that primary school children are to be taught how to look after their mental wellbeing and how to recognise when classmates may be struggling.
UK youth ‘let down’ on long-term health issues 20/02/2019 Youth in the UK are being ‘let down’ when it comes to treating long-term illnesses such as asthma, according to an independent health think tank.
Manchester’s infant mortality rate rises 40% 04/01/2019 The infant mortality rate in Manchester has increased by around 40% over the last decade, according to a report by the city council.
Hearing the voices of children in care 15/11/2018 Dr Claire Baker explores what children and young people living in care actually feel about their lives and care experience.
Children’s happiness ‘declining’, charity finds 29/08/2018 The well-being of children is as low as it was 20 years ago, according to an alarming new report from a children’s charity.
Getting physical 27/02/2018 Andy Howell explains how active healthier lifestyles are being driven by urban renewal in Slough.
Can local government lead the world? 20/02/2018 Liz Zeidler explains why a new system has been launched to measure 'true' progress and prosperity.
Most children in care believe it has improved their lives, survey reveals 19/02/2018 Children in care are more likely to feel safe than those in the general population, according to a new study.
Council approves plan for new children and family hubs 10/08/2017 Medway Council in Kent has rubber stamped plans to shut six children's centres in a bid to remodel the service and save an estimated £1.6m.
New ‘wellbeing indicators’ to help councils understand their residents published 18/07/2017 Councils will now be able to tailor their services to residents’ needs by drawing on a wide-ranging set of data concerning ‘wellbeing’.
1957 ‘happiest’ year of the twentieth century, study reveals 23/01/2017 The Victorian’s were ‘happier’ than we are today and 1957 was the ‘happiest’ year of the twentieth century, new research into the relationship between happiness and public policy reveals.
Rural areas suffer ‘patchy’ service provision 17/01/2017 Rural communities are suffering due to the ‘patchy’ provision of key services, a ‘worrying’ new report reveals.
Late intervention costing councils £6.4bn a year finds research 17/11/2016 It costs local councils £6.4bn a year to deal with damaging social problems affecting children and their families, new research has revealed.
Are STPs achievable? 07/11/2016 Mike Gill considers whether Sustainability and Transformation Plans can actually be delivered in such a short timeframe.
Post hospital care reduces readmittance rates, study finds 21/09/2016 Post hospital support for older patients improves their quality of life and reduces readmittance rates, new research reveals.
Improving ‘wellbeing’ key purpose of local government 14/09/2016 A leading charity has joined forces with global leaders to produce advice for councils on how to improve people's sense of wellbeing.
Quarter of a million girls in Britain ‘unhappy’, charity finds 31/08/2016 Over a quarter of a million girls in Britain are unhappy, with huge numbers struggling with the way they look, according to a children’s charity.
Holyrood to push ahead with named person plans 25/08/2016 The controversial named person policy in Scotland will go ahead despite being delayed by a UK Supreme Court ruling, deputy first minister John Swinney has confirmed.
Councils back new regulations to reduce gambling harm 06/04/2016 Gambling operators will need to produce risk assessments to show how they are reducing harm in their local areas under new regulations that came into effect from today.
Government publishes profiles of children's health 15/03/2016 New data outlining the state of UK children’s health was published today and will enable local authorities to learn how they are doing in this critical area.
The strong foundations of community involvement 10/03/2016 Tony Armstrong welcomes the new 'healthy towns' initiative but warns engaged communities should be at the heart of any plans
300,000 elderly people suffering from chronic loneliness 10/03/2016 The Government must provide more support for older people suffering loneliness and restore the 'crumbling' social care system, campaigners have demanded.
New £80m fund to tackle domestic violence 09/03/2016 The Government has set aside £80m to help protect women and girls from violence.
Councils call for control over sports funding to help reduce premature deaths 24/02/2016 Council leaders are calling for more control over sports and leisure funding in a bid to reduce the ‘alarming’ levels of premature deaths.
Councils tackle gambling-related harm with ‘cutting edge’ research 15/02/2016 Two local authorities have become the first in the UK to map people at risk of gambling-related harm in their communities.
Extra £1bn a year to treat mental health problems 15/02/2016 The Government has pledged to invest an extra £1bn in mental health care by 2021, following the publication of a new report showing a million more people will access mental health services.
Health professionals ‘overlooking’ malnutrition 10/02/2016 Less than half of health professionals (47%) feel confident they have the right knowledge and skills to help people at risk of malnutrition, according to a new survey.
Public health under threat from cuts, survey finds 03/02/2016 Cuts to health grants will have a detrimental impact on public health, according to the majority of directors of public health (DsPH).
How technology can maximise effectiveness of social care budgets 01/02/2016 Michael White explores the growing trend for councils to use personalised budgets to improve the health and well-being of older people.
Support for abused children ‘inadequate’ 28/01/2016 A survey of more than 1,000 professionals has found 96% think support offered to abused children is inadequate.
Concerted effort needed to tackle loneliness, says LGA 28/01/2016 Loneliness among older people is putting huge pressure on local services and must be taken more seriously as a major public health issue, council leaders have warned.
Study reveals the economic value of green spaces 22/01/2016 Every pound spent on maintaining green spaces contributes £30 towards health and wellbeing benefits, a new study has revealed.
Report: Community transport can save public services £1.1bn a year 20/01/2016 Community transport schemes could save up to £1.1bn a year by relieving the pressure on public services and helping older people to remain active, according to a new report.
Guidance offers advice on tackling loneliness in older people 17/12/2015 Local authorities have been urged to organise activities for older people to tackle loneliness and depression.
Experts call for reform of 'fat letter' 10/11/2015 The Government should scrap the so-called ‘fat letter’ sent to parents of overweight children, according to the Royal Society for Public Health (RSPH).
Councils spend ‘close to nothing’ on mental health warns charity 09/11/2015 Councils have been urged to improve mental health services after new figures revealed only 1% of public health budgets on average are spent on mental health.
Call for protection of leisure centres to tackle ‘deadly’ inactivity 05/11/2015 Leisure services should be considered as part of public health spending reviews to protect them from cuts and closure, according to the findings of a new report into Britain’s physical inactivity problem.
Council launches drive to register stem cell donors 02/11/2015 Glasgow’s teenagers are encouraging Scotland’s young people to sign-up to be life-saving stem cell donors.
Local authorities should help tackle ‘household food insecurity’ 29/10/2015 Local authorities should establish food access plans that will address any physical barriers to affordable, nutritious food in their area, according to a new report.
Public support tax on unhealthy food 27/10/2015 More than half of the British public would support a tax on unhealthy food and rink, according to the results of a new poll.
Tangible actions to tackle FGM 21/10/2015 Javed Khan says a multi-agency approach is needed to successfully tackle FGM
New resource launched to tackle poor housing conditions 21/10/2015 A new online resource to show local authorities the impact housing conditions can have on physical and mental health has been launched today.
Parks group calls for study into 'green prescriptions' 15/10/2015 Clinical trials into how ‘green prescriptions’ can help improve public health should be conducted by the Government, according to an association representing the UK’s parks.
We are living in an age of ‘battery-reared’ children, says report 15/10/2015 We are living in an age of ‘battery-reared’ children who are being prevented from playing and exercising outside the home, according to a report from an all-party parliamentary group looking at childhood play.
Councils urged to tackle inequality in men's health services 13/10/2015 Only 18% of councils are collecting gendered health data, according to the findings of a new report.
Hunt accused of doing 'nothing' on childhood obesity report 13/10/2015 Health secretary, Jeremey Hunt, has been accused of doing ‘absolutely nothing’ to action a plan on how to cut childhood obesity.
Council launches one-stop health shop 13/10/2015 Medway Council has opened a shop to give people advice on healthy eating, giving up smoking and tackling substance misuse.
One in five children are rejected mental health treatment 13/10/2015 One in five children with mental health issues are rejected for treatment, according to analysis of official data by the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC).
Telecare: the future of health and wellbeing 08/10/2015 Discover how telecare can change how healthcare is delivered and allow people to stay in their homes for longer.
Brighton & Hove pledges to be 'sugar smart' 06/10/2015 Brighton & Hove has become the first council to launch a city-wide campaign aimed at tackling sugar addiction.
The misalignment of health and social care 29/09/2015 Ian R. Smith calls for an urgent need for reform to avert a deepening crisis in health and social care.
Regulator to review junk food advertising to children 29/09/2015 A consultation on whether new rules to ban the non-broadcast advertising of unhealthy food and drink to children is being launched next year by the Committee of Advertising Practice (CAP).
Councils urge residents to kick smoking habit 29/09/2015 Councils across the country are urging smokers to give up cigarettes ahead of new legislation that bans smoking in cars carrying children.
Councils given advice to prepare and prevent 'suicide clusters' 10/09/2015 New guidance to help councils prevent and react to ‘suicide clusters’ has been published by Public Health England (PHE).
New guide puts ex-addicts at heart of service design 08/09/2015 Local authorities have been urged to involve recovering alcohol and drug users in developing treatment services.
County launches partnership to reduce suicides 08/09/2015 Kent County Council has launched a new campaign to reduce the suicide rate of young men, in partnership with Kent County Football League.
'Shocking' variations in health for under-fives, report finds 07/09/2015 Huge variations in levels of childhood obesity and other problems have been revealed before the responsibility for health services for under-fives is transferred to local authorities.
Report reveals diabetes risk for five million people 26/08/2015 A new report has revealed five million people in England have a high risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
Cuts in school nurses causing health 'crisis' 24/08/2015 A lack of investment in school nursing is leading to a health crisis among children and young people, nurses' leaders have warned.
Achieving a healthy workforce 24/08/2015 Rachel Wiles explains why Hertfordshire County Council has launched a health screening programme for all its staff.
Welsh Government pledges to carry on protecting mental health budgets 18/08/2015 Wales will continue to ring-fence funding for mental health services following a review.
Steamed or battered? Council pushes fish and chip shops to go healthy 14/08/2015 A borough has called on local fish and chip shops to sell steamed fish as part of efforts to promote healthy eating.
Call for ban on smoking in public places 13/08/2015 Smoking should be banned in public places such as parks and outside schools, according to a new report on how to cut the number of people who smoke.
Councils asked how best to manage £200m public health cuts 03/08/2015 Councils have been asked how the £200m reduction in public health funding should be implemented in a new consultation document.
Councils urged to tackle the ‘devastating consequences’ of loneliness 30/07/2015 Councils should provide and maintain essential services that help tackle the loneliness of older people, according to a new campaign.
Millions cut from mental health budgets warns charity 28/07/2015 A mental health charity is warning about a ‘disturbing’ disinvestment in young people’s mental health services, after figures showed £35m was cut from services in the last year.
Gangs using homeless children to expand drug lines warns report 23/07/2015 Children that have runaway or been declared missing are being used by gangs to expand inner city drug rings into county towns, according to a report by the Missing People charity and the Catch22 Dawes Unit.
Councils urged to 'step up' support for survivors of FGM 23/07/2015 Politicians and policy makers at all levels are being urged to act on a new report mapping out the prevalence of female genital mutilation across England and Wales.
15m workers urged to join public health workforce 20/07/2015 Hairdressers, cleaners and firemen have been urged to support efforts to improve public health, in a new report published today.
Council considers smoking ban for beaches and parks 16/07/2015 Smoking could be banned on beaches in Brighton and Hove under new plans to protect the health of children.
Greater Manchester signs groundbreaking health leadership deal 10/07/2015 A unique agreement has been signed between councils and health chiefs in Greater Manchester, setting out a vision for united local leadership.
Poll reveals 'deeply worrying' lack of local support for dementia sufferers 06/07/2015 Hundreds of thousands of people with dementia are being ‘let down’ thanks to a lack of local support, a poll of GPs suggests.
Hunt calls for new social contract in health 01/07/2015 The public should be encouraged to take more responsibility for their own health and looking after elderly relatives, according to health secretary Jeremy Hunt.
Council reviews ‘no ball games’ signs in childhood obesity push 01/07/2015 A London borough could scrap many of its ‘no ball games’ signs in a bid to combat childhood obesity and help youngsters play.
Council funding cuts could 'mute' patients, health watchdog warns 18/06/2015 Health service consumers' watchdog Healthwatch is demanding to know how local authorities which have cut its funding plan to continue their work.
Councils successfully getting high-risk people to have a free health check 15/06/2015 More people are having a free NHS health check since local authorities took over the responsibility for delivering them, new figures have revealed.
People with a mental health crisis being 'failed' by public services, says regulator 12/06/2015 Local authorities are failing to work with health bodies to ensure people having a mental health crisis have access to immediate care, the care regulator is warning today.
Investment in the walk to school benefits everyone 10/06/2015 Find out how Living Streets’ WoW (Walk once a Week) scheme can increase the number of children walking to school.
Active people create winning cities, say experts 09/06/2015 Experts are gathering today to make the case that cities that encourage physical activity have a clear economic advantage.
Wales plans e-cigarette ban amid stricter demands on councils 09/06/2015 Smoking e-cigarettes could be banned in enclosed spaces and councils hit with new demands over local toilets under new Welsh public health laws.
Welsh council to ban cigarettes from seafront and playgrounds 05/06/2015 Proposals to trial a smoke-free beach in Pembrokeshire have been backed today by Pembrokeshire County Council.
GPS dementia watch pilot launched by town hall and police 20/05/2015 A ‘groundbreaking’ GPS watch pilot has been launched to support dementia sufferers in Kent, helping residents stay safe and retain their independence.
Report reveals health concerns for unpaid carers 19/05/2015 New research has revealed the health of many unpaid carers is deteriorating year-on-year, leading to calls for the Government to increase the level of practical support available.
Study warns of obesity timebomb 07/05/2015 The UK is facing an obesity ‘crisis’ with the majority of people expected to be overweight by 2030, new research is warning.
Council calls for more twerking in health campaign 23/04/2015 North Linconshire council is calling for people to twerk in a stand against heart disease.
UK ‘ashamed’ as foodbank use reaches historic high 22/04/2015 A record one million people received at least three days of emergency help from foodbanks run by the Trussell Trust last year, figures reveal.
Research calls for targeted treatment for obese people 20/04/2015 A new study has shown there are six different types of obese people and has urged policy makers to target people accordingly.
Charity calls for more effective way of treating those with complex needs 17/04/2015 A national programme to deliver public services to people with multiple and complex needs should be developed, according to a new manifesto from charity Revolving Doors Agency.
Councils urged to signpost support for blind veterans 15/04/2015 Local authorities have been urged to signpost the free support available for veterans suffering from sight loss, with new research showing many ex-service personal are missing out on services.
Britain ranked 27th on international ‘wellness’ index 09/04/2015 Britain has been ranked beneath Italy, Germany and Australia in an international health index published today.
Poorer areas see rapid rise in fast food outlets, study finds 02/04/2015 Deprived areas have seen the largest rise in takeaway food outlets over the past 20 years, potentially worsening inequality – a study suggests.
Care Act promises ‘built on sand’ without extra funding 01/04/2015 The Care Act – which comes into force from today – is destined for failure unless the Government commits more funding to the care system, charities are warning.
Britain’s ‘unhealthiest’ high streets revealed 26/03/2015 A league table of Britain’s unhealthiest high streets has found towns in the North and Midlands are more likely to have businesses that harm public wellbeing.
Labour promises to slash use of food banks 25/03/2015 Labour has unveiled a five-point plan to reduce the number of people dependent on food banks.
North 'dominates' list of most desirable places to live 24/03/2015 Northern England locations have 'dominated' a list of the nation’s most desirable places to live thanks to their balance of work-life benefits.
Boroughs commit to making London world’s healthiest city 23/03/2015 London boroughs have revealed plans to transform the capital into the world’s healthiest major global city through joint working and devolution.
‘Inhumane’ bedroom tax leaving people hungry warns academics 17/03/2015 A new study is warning that people affected by the bedroom tax are struggling to buy food or heat their homes.

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This issue of Local Government News explores how councils can tackle modern slavery and trafficking in their supply chains, finds out more about Cambridge's first cohousing scheme and the launch of a new project to build a shared service pattern library for local government.

This issue also contains a special focus on children's services and how councils are protecting children following local safeguarding children boards being abolished.