The Strategy and Change Scrutiny Panel of Ealing Council was scheduled to discuss updates on the Health Determinants Research Collaboration and the development of foundations for place-based prevention. The panel was also set to review its work programme for the upcoming year.

Health Determinants Research Collaboration Update

The panel was scheduled to receive an update on the Health Determinants Research Collaboration (HDRC) Ealing, a five-year programme funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) with £5 million to boost research capacity and capability within local government. The HDRC aims to understand and address health inequities in Ealing by improving how data and insights on the 'building blocks' of health, such as education, social connection, and housing, are collected and used. The report detailed the programme's progress, including the establishment of governance, financial frameworks, and the recruitment of a multidisciplinary team. A significant focus was placed on the Participatory Action Research (PAR) workstream, which involves community members as researchers to collect stories and identify priorities for action. The report also outlined progress on data linkage projects, evaluation frameworks, and training initiatives designed to build research capacity within the council and its community partners. Plans for the third year included further development of the action research phase, engagement with key council teams, and infrastructure development.

Foundations of Place-Based Prevention

The panel was also scheduled to discuss progress on developing the foundations for place-based prevention. This initiative aims to improve how the council operates more closely with residents' lives and to empower communities to meet their needs in inclusive ways. The report defined prevention across primary, secondary, and tertiary levels, with a focus on fostering conditions that support primary prevention by strengthening community connections and power. Two key approaches were outlined: 'Town Anchors and Networks' and 'Neighbourhood Social Connection test and learn sites'. The Town Anchors and Networks model proposes establishing local organisations as 'anchors' within each of Ealing's seven towns to foster connection, share information, and catalyse community action, with a pilot planned for Greenford. The Neighbourhood Social Connection approach aims to identify three neighbourhoods with high levels of socioeconomic deprivation to test and learn how to build neighbourly connections, support community action, and leverage local assets and partnerships. The report detailed the intended outcomes for individuals, communities, and the council, focusing on increased social connection, community power, and a more preventative approach to service delivery.

Panel Work Programme

The panel was also scheduled to review its work programme for 2025-2026. This standing item involves planning the scrutiny activities for the upcoming year, with the flexibility to adapt as new issues arise. The report indicated that a site visit to projects in Greenford, related to place and prevention, had not been possible before this meeting due to the proximity to Christmas. The work programme also noted the invitation of community researchers to contribute to the discussion on the Health Determinants Research Collaboration update.