#localauthors

[someplace-that-is-else]

A little bit of #sexandthecity

A little bit of #NoahsArc

A silly #idea...that gives way to...#love?

What am I talking about? My latest book HOW THE OTHER HALF LIVES!

Wine, catfights, and the Hamptons oh my!

#thirstythursdays #writingcommunity

[stochastique-blog]

Usefull Stuff

I’ve got another 30 minutes before tomorrow!

New style 😃

#bacaJunChallenge Day 24: #bookishcloseup

Among all the books in my current collection, I have choosen this book for this challenge.

DIAgnosis is a bestseller local book as it was written by doctors, Dr. Anwar Fazal MD, Dr. Aizzat MD, Dr. Azzah, MBBS. Currently, it has three books, DIAgnosis 1, DIAgnosis 2 (more doctors wrote) and Apokalips. This book is to inspire readers if every age about the ‘glamorous’ career.

signing off, #amalinareads

#DIAgnosis #bookstagram #localauthors #book #black #blackbook

[godsofghostriver]

Chapter XIII - STALKERS is LIVE!

"That compulsive feeling tingling at the base of my neck, I gaze back… enormous wide piercing silver eyes loom, the man with dreads sits kneeling, wrists snapped and dangling, but raised like some kind of twisted, woeful prayer, as though venerating the monstrosity in the darkness."

- The Gods of Ghost River

Read it here!

[growthmindshq]

Dorset Council Faces Audit Findings Highlighting Governance and Procurement Weaknesses

Dorset Council has acknowledged serious governance and procurement issues following an audit that identified "significant weaknesses" in its internal processes. The council has taken responsibility for bringing these concerns to light, with the audit conducted by Grant Thornton. While the investigation remains ongoing, the auditors have confirmed that the issues at hand are substantial.

The findings will be presented to the Audit and Governance Committee of the council at a meeting on 24 February at County Hall in Dorchester. A comprehensive report detailing the full extent of the weaknesses is expected to be finalized and shared with the public in the coming months.

The council has emphasized its commitment to transparency and accountability, assuring residents that the findings of the audit will be made publicly available once the final report is completed. In a statement, the council stressed the importance of addressing these issues promptly to ensure that good governance practices are upheld.

Concerns Over Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG)

One area of particular concern highlighted in the audit was the management of the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG). While the council acknowledged significant weaknesses in how the funds have been handled, it also pointed out that such issues are not unique to Dorset and reflect broader challenges faced by councils both nationally and locally.

The audit findings are seen as a crucial opportunity for Dorset Council to address long-standing governance challenges. In response, councillors will review the recommendations thoroughly and implement necessary actions to improve oversight and accountability in the future.

Dorset Council’s proactive stance in revealing the audit findings signals its intention to improve its operations and restore public confidence. As the investigation continues, the authority is determined to resolve the issues at hand and strengthen its governance framework for the future.

[vlemx]

[thxnews]

Sustainable Development Goals: UN's Global Call

  World Leaders Gather in New York to Address the SDGs

New York, September 11, 2023 - As the world prepares for the annual high-level opening of the General Assembly next week, the United Nations Midtown East campus witnessed a dynamic gathering over the weekend. Participants included youth groups, women's organizations, mayors, community activists, and business leaders, all uniting to rally support for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in anticipation of the upcoming SDG Summit.  

Midway Mark for the 2030 Goals

The SDG Summit, scheduled for September 18-19, will mark the midpoint in the journey towards achieving the SDGs. Launched in 2015 with a promise to 'leave no one behind,' the SDGs aim to combat issues ranging from poverty, hunger, and gender equality to access to education and clean energy. Off-Track Progress Threatens Global Agenda Regrettably, as of now, the SDGs and the commitments made by UN member countries to fulfill the 2030 Agenda are in jeopardy. Despite some progress, there are glaring implementation gaps across all 17 Goals. These gaps have hindered efforts to address critical global challenges, including poverty, inequality, and environmental sustainability.  

Call for a Global Rescue Plan

Several factors, including waning public interest in achieving the SDGs and geopolitical tensions, have compounded the problem. However, the most pressing issue has been the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic, which has necessitated an urgent global response. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating, "Today, only 15 percent of the targets are on track, with many going into reverse." He stressed that the upcoming SDG Summit is an opportunity for governments worldwide to come forward with concrete plans and proposals to expedite progress.   Beyond Mere Compliance Secretary-General Guterres underscored that the SDGs are not merely about meeting targets but about addressing the aspirations, rights, and well-being of people and the environment. They also encompass rectifying historical injustices, healing global divisions, and forging a path toward enduring peace.

A Call to Action for All

Secretary-General Guterres commended the courage and dedication of the activists present, recognizing the risks they face in their global pursuit of the SDGs. He urged them to persist in their efforts. Additionally, he called on the business community to recognize sustainable development as the most profitable business plan. Addressing women and young participants, the Secretary-General encouraged them to continue advocating for change in their communities and to demand their rights and inclusion at every decision-making table.  

Localizing the SDGs

Finally, Secretary-General Guterres emphasized the pivotal role of local authorities in revitalizing the SDGs. He stressed that the rescue of the SDGs would not occur in New York but in communities around the world. He called on local leaders to listen to the needs and concerns of their communities and to integrate them into their policies and investments. As world leaders gather in New York for the annual General Assembly, meanwhile, all eyes are on the upcoming SDG Summit as a critical juncture in the journey towards achieving the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. Moreover, the urgency of the situation, underscored by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, has set the stage for a global call to action. Furthermore, the fate of the SDGs now hinges on the commitment and collaboration of nations, activists, businesses, and local authorities worldwide.   Sources: THX News & United Nations. Read the full article

[sheilakellbooks]

Come visit me at the Mississippi Antique Galleria at 1909 E. Pass Road in Gulfport. I’ll be answering questions at 11:00 and signing right after. There are five other local authors with a variety of genres. Come on out!

[hillingdontoday]

New street works regime to clamp down on pothole pain

New regulations have been announced to crack down on utility companies causing pothole pain to ensure faster and higher quality road repairs to reduce vehicle damages, saving drivers time and money.   From 1 April, new regulations will come into force for a performance-based inspection regime to ensure utility companies resurface roads to the best possible standard after street works, potentially preventing thousands of potholes from developing in the future.   The move comes as the Government is investing over £5.5 billion by 2025 in highways maintenance and could help motorists save money on expensive repairs by protecting their vehicles from damage to tyres or suspension. It will also ensure cyclists and motorbike riders can drive more safely and with greater peace of mind.   The measures will also help drivers plan ahead and ease congestion as utility companies and local authorities will now be required to provide the Department for Transport’s street manager service with more up to date and accurate data on live works, including at weekends.   Companies will be asked to provide information about when works start and stop at weekends and all local authorities must share start/stop information about their works. This will update sat navigation systems and other apps so motorists are aware of where street works are and can avoid those areas – preventing traffic from building up.   #pothole #potholes #potholepain #newregulations #regulations #smootherjourneys #reducedcongestion #inspection #streetworks #utilitycompanies #highwaysmaintenance #resurface #roads #repairs #damage #tyres #suspension #cyclists #motorbikeriders #protectingvehicles #drivesafely #peaceofmind #funding #localauthorities #plan #bridges #resurface #departmentfortransports #dot #streetmanagerservice Read the full article

[jolenes-book-journey]

Happy Holidays From Literary Indulgence Book Festival 2025 #localauthor...

[someplace-that-is-else]

GOOD MORNING, LIKERS!!!

Starting #monday morning with some reading, #coffee, and thinking about my book being in the #sandiego library's local author exhibition this week.

#goodmorning #localauthor #sandiegoliving #writingcommunity #fictionondisplay

[saramackenzie1982]

🚨⚠️UPCOMING EVENTS⚠️🚨

#LocalAuthor #IndieAuthor #AuthorTalk #BookEvent #BookSigning #BookCommunity #ChildrensBooks #Poetry #Fiction #Nonfiction

[squaredaisy]

Reel-03-LocalAuthorities from Square Daisy on Vimeo.

[michaelcosio]

Rachel L. Ertassi

March 30, 2024

Join me for a book signing and Q&A with capitalbooksonk on Saturday April 6th at 10:00am! Pick up a copy of CTCS in store or online with Capital Books!

#cityoftrees #cityoftreescityofshadowsbook #rlertassi #localauthor #sacramento #sacramentothriller #sacramento365 #downtownsac #indiebookstores #sacramentobookstagram #sacramentobookstore #bookevent #booksigning #authormeetngreet #sacramentoauthor #capitalbooksonk #capitalbooksbookstore

[theoptimisticpatriot]

What should be in the Take Back Control Bill?

This note was submitted to members of Labour's front bench by the Society of Labour Lawyers and former Communities Secretary John Denham. It represents our initial thoughts on our contribution to the promised Take Back Control Bill (TBCB).

The aim of Labour policy

Paradoxically, English devolution has been regarded as a matter of central government policy, and too oftencharacterised as local government reform. Central government decides which powers and resources it might bewilling to devolve or delegate, under which circumstances, and to which bodies. Local government has no formal role, and only a very limited informal role, in shaping this policy. Consequently, local authorities can only respond to the central agenda. While this has enabled some slow and limited progress, the current ‘deals’ always reflect thepriorities and interests of the centre and can always be removed by the whim of the centre.

We understand that Labour now wishes to change this relationship, giving local government defined rights, duties, and powers, which cannot casually be removed. Local authorities will have, by right, enhanced powers to shape their local areas, to create larger bodies to meet the needs of wider geographies, and to gain new powers and resources. Collectively, local authorities should have a role in shaping government policy and become partners with the centrein developing English devolution. In essence, this would signify a fundamental transition away from reform of localgovernment, to creating devolved government in England.

In addition, Labour wishes to empower communities below the level of combined local authorities and current localauthorities.

We understand that it is no intended that the TBCB will alter London’s unique devolution status. English devolution also fits within a wider vision of UK constitutional change which provides for the protection of constitutional rights andthe representation of English ‘regions.’ Neither of these issues are addressed in detail in this note.

Our work

Our focus is on two aspects of the new and empowered role of local authorities. However, in considering the scopeof the TBCB, in our view it should broadly do three things, first; consolidate and simplify the devolution arrangements in England, second; enhance those arrangements, and third; protect the rights and powers of devolved and localgovernment in England, through ensuring their 'constitutional autonomy'.

The importance of the ‘constitutional autonomy’ of local authorities was recognised in the report of the UK Commission on the Future of the UK. It is also implicit in the speeches by Keir Starmer, Lisa Nandy and other shadow ministers which promise to provide communities with the right to request new powers, for Westminster to explain why powers have not been devolved and to plan for further devolution, and the power to enable local authorities to createCombined Local Authorities and wider structures.

English devolution is explicitly linked directly to Labour’s broader objective of closing the gaps – in productivity, health,income, wealth, education etc – that exist between and within England’s regions. This aim not only requires devolution ofthe appropriate powers but, crucially, ensuring that each part of England has the financial resources required to achieve‘levelling-up’.

In this note we set out our initial thinking on how the powers of local authorities should be reflected in the TBCB, and howthe TBCB might set out both the aim of closing the gaps within England, as well as provide for a formula for the distributionof resources to ensure that this can happen. At this stage we are less concerned with the detail of which powers are settled at which level than we are with the relationship between different levels of sub- national and national government.

Constitutional autonomy

In our view, “constitutional autonomy” in this context means:

That devolved and local government in England has an exclusive power to initiate action within theircompetences; and

That this exclusive power1 cannot be interfered with or taken away by another constitutional actor.

In order to create this constitutional autonomy, the TBCB2 must do the following:

Set out that the UK Government cannot exercise or interfere with the competences of local or devolved government in England (save in certain limited circumstances, discussed below.)

Entrench those powers/responsibilities devolved by the TBCB. That is, it should set out the procedure by which Parliament can remove or reduce those powers/responsibilities (such as through a super majority or otherprocedure which is more difficult than amending or repealing ordinary legislation).

Entrench the TBCB itself, so that the entrenchment protecting the powers of local and the devolved government inEngland cannot be circumvented by simply amending the TBCB.

Protecting the constitutional autonomy of local and devolved government in England in this way would, in our view, facilitate a change in the relationship between the UK and sub- national governments, from a supervisory to acooperative one.

1 Although a consent mechanism could allow local authorities to agree with proposed changes, there would also need to be robust inter-governmental structures to facilitate cooperation in these kinds of matters.

2 These proposals differ from the model of entrenchment, through a reformed House of Lords, proposed by the Commission on the Future of the UK which, currently, are to apply mainly to the constitutional relationships between the devolved administrations and the UK government, rather than English devolution. In any case, the TBCB needs toestablish effective entrenchment before reform of the Lords might have been achieved.

Empowering local authorities

England has many layers of local authorities, including parishes, districts, counties, unitaries, metropolitan boroughs, combined local authorities and a unique arrangement for London. It is impossible to provide each with its own constitutional status.

An inherent tension in English devolution is that it must create bodies of sufficient size and geographic reach toexercise sub-regional economic development and governance powers, as well as ensuring that powers lie at a sufficiently local level to empower people and their communities, rather than simply create a new layer of remotedecision-makers. This tension can only be resolved by giving the appropriate level of local government much more influence over the ability to form sub-regional or larger bodies, and more responsibility to empower localcommunities.

We suggest that the TBCB’s constitutional focus should be to empower ‘upper tier’ unitary, county and borough councils. This is the only level of government which exists in a broadly similar form in every part of England. Theselocal authorities should:

have the right to exercise defined powers in their own areas,

have the right to draw down additional powers to their areas,

enjoy the constitutive power to form combined authorities,

be subject to a legal duty of subsidiarity to enable districts, parish, and other local bodies to exercise powers at the most appropriate level.

In what follows, ‘local authority’ means these upper tier councils unless explicitly mentioned otherwise.

The TBCB will provide for each of these rights and duties.

It would require government to set out in the TBCB which additional powers will be enjoyed by local authorities andto identify those additional powers that might be exercised. It would set out the circumstances under which additionalpowers might be refused and the responsibility of central government to work with local authorities to enable them to do so.

The underlying principle is that once a power has been devolved it could only be taken away in prescribed circumstances such as a catastrophic failure of governance.

It would enable local authorities to form Combined Local Authorities (CLAs) and to pool existing powers as desire. The right to determine the membership and geography of CLA, and whether there should be an elected mayor, should lie with local authorities (notwithstanding that central government may set out the powers that are available to CLAs ofdifferent size and capacity – see below)

The duty of subsidiarity would set out how local authorities should exercise the duty, the ability of local people to challenge, and any oversight to be exercised by central government. (CLAs would also be subject to a duty of subsidiarity – see below)

Combined Local Authorities

There is broad agreement that some (but not all) aspects of skills, infrastructure, strategic planning, transport, netzero and other elements of economic development are best exercised above local authority level. CLAs shaped by localauthorities are the vehicle for doing so, and CLAs in turn should be able to work together to create wider bodies ifneeded.

CLAs would gain their powers and resources from two sources. Firstly, from the pooling of powers (including new devolved powers) that are devolved to local authorities. Secondly, from additional powers made available to CLAs fromcentral government.

Central government has a legitimate interest in ensuring that powers are devolved appropriately, but over prescription from the centre can slow progress, be ineffective and cut across local democracy. The TBCB should providea framework that facilitates a collaborative relationship between local authorities and central government. Local authorities and CLAs would work with central government within a framework of right, and not be subject toindividual ‘deals.

In like manner to the approach to local authorities, the TBCB should

set out what additional powers will be devolved by right to CLAs, subject only to meeting minimum criteria of capacity to exercise them effectively,

set out what additional powers may be requested by CLAs It would set out the circumstances under which additional powers might be refused and the responsibility of central government to work with local authorities to enable them to do so,

enable CLAs to work together to pool powers over a wider geography.

This approach will produce a ‘messy’ devolution, but within a broader framework which imposes a necessary level ofcoherence across devolved and local government in England. Not all CLAs will cover the same population, economy, orgeography, but this approach is more likely to ensure that each CLAs reflects the needs of its areas and popular local geography than the top-down imposition of uniform structures. The policy framework creates strong disincentives tothe formation of perverse or dysfunctional structures. However, should these emerge, they can always be reformed at alater stage.

The duty of subsidiarity

The need to exercise some powers at a regional or sub-regional level must not take powers away from lowerlevels of upper tier and district authorities. Both local authorities and CLAs would be subject to a duty of subsidiarity in which they set out which of their powers could be exercised at a lower level and how this will be achieved. For example, the holding of strategic transport powers should not prevent the devolution of, for example, LowTraffic Neighbourhood policy to district, parish, or community level.

The TBCB should provide for:

both local authorities and CLAs should be required to consult on and publish a community empowerment plans,

the power of local communities and councils to challenge the plan,

the legal powers required to devolved powers to a local level.

The fair distribution of resources

Tackling the inequalities between and within England’s regions will require a fair distribution of resources, sufficientnot only to meet immediate needs but also to reverse historic deprivation and lack of investment. At the same time, devolution will not succeed unless local authorities can rely on the sufficient, predictable, and consistent funding that underpins their autonomy.

Constructing a formula for fair funding is complex and contentious and could not be on the face of the TBCB. A fairfunding formula is also likely to encompass a variety of different sources of revenue and capital including current localdomestic and business taxes, possible future local taxes (e.g., a tourism tax), various forms of planning gain(including from increased land values), the proceeds of economic growth (including the retention of business rates’) the retention of some proportion of locally raised national taxation, and redistribution of taxation through centralgovernment. Account will also need to be taken of national funding that has not been devolved – for example, somepart of research funding. This will also be too complex for the TBCB (and aspects might in any case be moreappropriate for a future Finance Bill).

The agreement of a new funding formula should not be only a matter for central government. It should be designed through a statutory consultation process with a representative body of local authorities. (This body could be based on local authorities or on CLAs, although until all of England is covered by established CLAs, a local authority-based body will be the only available option.)

Hence the TBCB should:

place a responsibility on the government to ensure that each part of England has access to sufficient resources to closehistoric inequalities,

place a responsibility on the government to create a mechanism through which a funding formula to achieve thatresponsibility can be agreed between central and local government,

provide for the creation of a representative body of local authorities with a statutory duty and right to agree a fundingformula with central government (and to provide a resolution if this is not possible),

protect an agreed funding formula from arbitrary change by central government (for example where it is not agreed by thelocal authorities’ representative body) by requiring explicit parliamentary approval,

provide for the different fiscal mechanisms by which local authorities can enjoy greater fiscal autonomy.

The scope of policy devolution

Much of Labour’s discussion of devolution has been concerned with economic policy. In the past Labour has looked towider policy devolution, including health, social care, and the creation of pooled public service budgets. At the current time, upper tier local authorities have gained new statutory roles on Integrated Care Partnerships with responsibilities to improve health and social care and to tackle underlying health inequalities.

The framework we have outlined here would work for a much wider range of policy issues as and when a Labour government chooses to widen the scope of devolution.

Accountability

Devolution creates new challenges for political and fiscal accountability. Whitehall’s role as the collectiveaccounting officer for public funding has already created constraints on devolution. As more powers and funds aredevolved, the risks and the need for more effective accountability will grow. But if accountability is upwards to thecentre, then devolution will be hampered.

A new framework should enable current accounting officers to satisfy their responsibility provided they have followed proper procedures in devolving powers and resources. At the same time, far more robust audit and accountability mechanisms should be introduced for local authorities and combined local authorities through the creation of a newstatutory audit body with appropriate intervention powers.

Beyond fiscal accountability, empowered local authorities and CLAs should be subject to more robust scrutiny from elected councillors, local citizens and, for CLAs, member local authorities. This might be done by establishing robust minimumstandards (including autonomy, resources etc) for the current local scrutiny regime.

The TBCB should:

enable national accounting officers to devolve their statutory responsibilities to appropriate officers in local authorities orCLAs,

create a new statutory public audit office for local authorities and CLAs with intervention powers, and enable central government, after consultation with the representative body of local authorities, to publish minimum standards for local scrutiny,

establish principles for the operation of local government including standards of conduct in public life, transparency and openness to scrutiny by public and media.

The central governance of England

As the report on the Future of the UK identified, the conflation of the government of the UK with that of England does not work well for either England or the union. Machinery of government questions lie outside the scope of the TBCB, but it isclear that devolution within England will not happen effectively without creating a more effective and joined up system ofEnglish governance at the centre.

All the elements of English domestic governance that are currently scattered across a mixture of UK, British, Englandand Wales and England-only departments need to be effectively coordinated, perhaps under the leadership of an England office (and perhaps a Secretary of State for England). HM Treasury should engage more clearly with the government of England as a whole, and less with individual departments.

UK constitutional reform

We understand that wider UK constitutional reform lies outside the TBCB, and we have not considered this in detail. However, our proposals are consistent with those of the Commission on the Future of the UK. The creationof a representative body of local authorities would enable England to be represented within a Council of the Nations and Regions (and without the need for an elected regional body or individual). The establishment of a fair fundingformula with appropriate devolved powers would make progress on the achievement of shared economic and social right. The clearer delineation of England’s domestic governance would clarify English interests in intra-governmental structures and discussions.

[christinamac1]

Nuclear Free Local Authorities concerned over safety risks regarding nuclear-armed U.S. base planned for RAF Lakenheath, Suffolk

A combination of tremendous heroism, good fortune and the will ofGod” – will this be the future of safety at a nuclear-armed Lakenheath?With evidence mounting that the United States Air Force intends to returnnuclear weapons to RAF Lakenheath in Suffolk, the Nuclear Free LocalAuthorities have written to emergency planners in the county, and on theirrecommendation now to the Ministry of Defence,…

[thxnews]

Breaking the Cycle: Program Aids Kids of Alcoholic Parents

  - Hundreds of thousands of children and families could benefit from fresh approach, with government continuing to take serious action to support those most at risk - Local authorities encouraged to invest in interventions focused on the whole family through £532 million Drug Strategy Fund A government-backed programme has delivered improved quality of life for families affected by alcohol misuse, with children better able to access support and alcohol dependent parents encouraged to seek treatment, according to an independent evaluation published today. The Children of Alcohol Dependent Parents (CADeP) Programme Innovation Fund provided £5.7 million over four years, ending March 2022, to nine areas across England. Used to create better and more innovative systems to identify and support children of alcohol dependent parents and their families, it also aimed to increase awareness of parental conflict and explore ways of addressing it. The report highlighted that children have benefitted from a range of interventions including activities to help them explore their own feelings, understand their parents’ drinking, making a safety plan, and identifying someone to rely on. It also showed that providing support focused on the whole family unit has a positive impact on parents accessing treatment as well as their children. Parents also said the support helped them address conflict and relationship issues and provided a boost to their general wellbeing.  

Portrait of Neil O'Brien MP. Photo by luhcgovuk. Flickr.   Health Minister Neil O’Brien said: “Alcohol misuse can ruin lives and destroy families, and can have a particularly devastating impact on children. The toll it can take on their mental health and wellbeing can last throughout their lives. “We owe it to these children to make sure support is available. This scheme has equipped local authorities with the tools they need to get people into treatment and on the road to recovery and this independent review clearly demonstrates the success of the scheme. “I’d encourage local authorities right across England to use the funding we’ve provided to adopt similar approaches and to get more people into treatment.”   The government is providing £532 million for local authorities to improve drug and alcohol addiction treatment and recovery services through the Drug Strategy Fund. Local authorities can, and are encouraged, to invest this funding to develop programmes which provide tailored support to families affected by alcohol and drug misuse with this funding, using the reports finding. According to the evaluation, local authorities also improved their workforce through better training and recruitment as well as by integrating adult and children’s services. It also successfully trained staff of frontline family services to support parents experiencing relationship distress, whether they are together or separated, to protect their children’s mental health. The scheme was run by the Department of Health and Social Care in conjunction with the Department for Work and Pensions, given parental alcohol misuse often coexists with parental conflict, with a clear need to create a joined-up approach to address this complex issue.  

Official portrait of Viscount Younger of Leckie. Photo by Chris McAndrew. Wikimedia.   DWP Minister Viscount Younger of Leckie said: “Through our Reducing Parental Conflict programme we are acutely aware that parental alcohol dependency often co-exists with relationship problems and negatively affects children’s wellbeing. “Every child deserves a good start in life, which is why we dedicated funding to this excellent scheme, ensuring local services can support families in this complex situation. “To learn that parents reported improved wellbeing, increased life satisfaction and better relationships because of our interventions is very encouraging news indeed. The results of this work will provide an important evidence-base to help thousands more families lead happier, more fulfilling lives.”   Each local authority implemented the scheme in a different way, depending on local needs and to ensure a variety of support options. Programmes included improving early identification referral pathways during pregnancy and early childhood, recruitment to specific roles such as an early intervention co-ordinator, and the development of parenting programmes in schools. The findings, published by the Tavistock Institute of Human Relations, can be used by local authorities to roll-out tried and tested methods tailored to meet local needs. It evaluated the programme across nine local areas, spanning 13 local authorities in England.  

Key findings of the report showed:

- Better leadership that allowed for collaboration across services, along with workforce development of children services and substance misuse practitioners led to timely identification of parents and families impacted by alcohol dependency. - Expanding staff and service capacity to specifically target children and young people, integrating parental conflict work into the support provided, and making time for whole family interventions delivered improvements in supporting parents and families. - In the eight areas, adult treatment participation increased the course of the programme. Parents and their children also had more positive impacts from the approaches taken.   Existing evidence suggests that children affected by both parental substance misuse and conflict have complex needs, especially regarding mental health and wellbeing. Tackling both alcohol misuse and parental conflict together can also be beneficial for the children involved. The full evaluation is available online The nine project areas comprised: - Brighton and Hove City Council - Haringey Council - Knowsley Council - North Tyneside Local Authority - Portsmouth City Council - Rochdale MBC (including also Bolton, Bury, Salford, and Trafford) - St Helens Council - Swindon Borough Council - West Sussex County Council   Sources: THX News, Department of Health and Social Care, Department for Work and Pensions & Neil O'Brien MP Read the full article