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Principles met

  • Co-production

    We will develop systems that enable citizens to be equal partners in designing and commissioning public services and in determining the use of public resources.

  • Enterprise and social economy

    We will promote community-based approaches to economic development that focus on supporting the creation of jobs, social enterprises and other businesses and providing an environment for co-operative and mutual enterprises to thrive.

  • Maximising social value

    We will support the development of a framework and criteria for social value, giving substance to the concept and supporting Councils with the tools to ensure better local social and economic outcomes.

  • New models of meeting priority needs

    In exploring new ways of meeting the priority needs of our communities we will encourage models, such as co-operatives and mutuals, which give greater influence and voice to staff and users. in designing and commissioning public services and in determining the use of public resources.

About the project

Brent Council’s Employment and Skills Outcomes Based Review (OBR) project set out to explore residents’ challenges in accessing employment and skills opportunities and support delivered by the local authority. Insights from research, stakeholders and community engagement was gathered and utilised to identify the key barriers that residents face and begin to develop prototypes that would support prosperity and stability and thriving communities in the London Borough of Brent. By adopting an Outcomes Based Review approach, Brent Council underwent the exploration phases of Discover, Define, Develop and Deliver.

The decision to conduct an OBR focused on employment and skills for Brent residents came as a result of the Office for National Statistics (ONS) 2021 Census findings which identified Brent’s unemployment rate at 6.8%, compared to 4% regionally and 3.8% nationally. Regarding education, the 2021 Census found that 7.6% of Brent residents hold no qualification, in comparison to 5.5% regionally and 6.6% nationally. Additionally, insights from a previous Cost-of-Living OBR (2022/23) Community Wellbeing Project identified resident’s challenges and their need for specialised skills and employment support services to achieve community resilience and long-term financial stability. As the Community Wellbeing Project developed and transitioned into a new larger location, with increased service provision, the ambition was for the CCIN Policy Prototype funding to support the development of tailored offers at the expanded services, improving opportunities.

By undertaking the OBR framework, Brent Council has used the Cooperative Councils’ Innovation Network’s governance, values and principles to engage with residents, gain insights and co-produce prototype offers to enhance support for employment and skills opportunities.

For further information contact the project lead:

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