Dartington Service Design Lab

Despite some welcome investments in education, the Budget announced yesterday was otherwise pretty light in relation to babies, children and young people. It lacked solutions to the deeply rooted problems that are preventing children and young people thriving. However, given the depths of these issues and the diversity of ways in which they manifest for people and communities across the country – Westminster can only ever be part of the response. It's now clear that the focus for local authorities and health systems across the UK will revolve around how to best use existing local resources to contribute to missions set by government, making them meaningful and impactful at a local level.  A one-size-fits-all approach will not cut it. We need locally nuanced, equitable policy, research and practice.  Read our ideas for how local leaders can translate policy directives into practice, grounded in place and community, without any significant new money. To know more about our approach and our thinking, get in touch with Tim Hobbs, Arielle Garton and Julie Harris today. #children #families #communities #policy #practice #budget #government #localauthority #research #evaluation #livedexperience #design #newsletter #response #thoughtleadership #thinkpiece

Anticipation for change and hope for improvements for children and young people have dominated the year. Yet, the context remains immensely challenging, with rising child poverty, inequality and rates of poor mental health among children and young people.    But we are not deterred.  Read our latest #newsletter to hear all about how we're working with others to reduce harm and progress opportunities for young people, further #evidence in the mental health sector and improve early years outcomes to give children the best start in life. A special thanks to all the staff who've worked tirelessly this year: Tim Hobbs Arielle Garton Julie Harris George D. Sean Manzi Finlay Green Megan Keenan, MSW Leanne Freeman Katie Upsdale Charlotte Woodhead Katie Potter Zhenni Qin Annalise C. Ediane de Lima Ellen Goddard Rachel Lily Rachel Bromley And our trustees: Ruth Dobson Joel Glover Shivonne M. Gates PhD Lee Mauve Patron Peter Grigg Maria Neophytou Hannah Stoddart David Derbyshire David Archibald #children #families #outcomes #policy #changemaking #policymaking #newgovernment #mentalhealth #violence #violencereduction #earlyyears #nursery #prenatal #antenatal #youngpeople #education #schools #college #outcomes #evidence #research #socialsciences

To drive real, lasting change for children, young people and families, we need to understand not only what is effective but also how to create positive effects, as well as for whom it works and whether it is being applied as intended. But assessing the ‘how’ part is much more complex than just investigating the ‘what’. Youth Futures Foundation has commissioned Dartington Service Design Lab and the Centre for Evidence and Implementation to help with this challenge, through developing Theory-Informed Implementation and Process Evaluation guidance. Read more about this project: https://lnkd.in/gP5fbgD6 The goal is to inform and guide more rigorous #evaluation #methodology, rooted in the latest theories, models and frameworks of #ImplementationScience and #ProgramTheory.

Fantastic to hear that our State of the System research into the needs and wellbeing of children and young people with cancer has gone global! 🌏 Our report - created with Young Lives vs Cancer Teenage Cancer Trust Ellen MacArthur Foundation and Children's Cancer and Leukaemia Group (CCLG) - identifies the gaps in #cancer support and areas which need vital transformation so that every child and young person facing cancer receives care that’s tailored to them. This report combined #evidence, including the lived experience of more than 1,500 young people and families, to provide the foundation for groundbreaking solutions and inform decisions that achieve greater outcomes for young people and their families affected by cancer.   #cancer #care #research #evidence #youngpeople #family #mentalhealth #wellbeing #support #systems #systemthinking #systemschange

We’re delighted to announce our partnership with the London's Violence Reduction Unit (VRU) to identify examples of exceptional practice that can help communicate what trauma-informed working should look like for people and services in London. 🚩 https://lnkd.in/e7AzNxqB This short survey (approx 15 mins) calls on professionals working in London’s healthcare, local authorities and Metropolitan policing to share their thoughts on trauma-informed practice, in a survey collaboratively designed with a Champions Group of professionals (from health, local government, charities and policing) and young people, passionate about preventing violence across London. If you want to know more, get in touch with Arielle Garton Megan Keenan, MSW or Katie Upsdale, and please do share on. #survey #London #police #healthcare #localgov #trauma #traumapractice #traumaresponse #violence #violencereduction #harmreduction #children #youngpeople

We're delighted to announce our CEO Tim Hobbs and Systemic Change Lead Megan Keenan, MSW have joined the incredible National Race Equity Implementation Center (NREIC) to bridge our collective work between the UK and US. The work together will explore how race, culture and identity form evidence, with deep listening and trust in the expertise coming from those with their own experiences. Watch this space, loads to come! 👏

We couldn't let #TrusteesWeek pass by without thanking the fantastic team that work with us to drive change and support Dartington Service Design Lab's work to create a future where all children and young people thrive.   Children and young people are facing increasing challenges, rising poverty and inequality, as well as unacceptable levels of poor mental health, exposure to harm and violence, and a lack of opportunity.   It is in these conditions that we strive to bring together vital experience, expertise and thoughtful guidance to help us make impactful change.   For all your unwavering commitment, offerings and thought, we thank you all: Ruth Dobson Joel Glover Shivonne M. Gates PhD Lee Mauve Patron Peter Grigg Maria Neophytou Hannah Stoddart David Derbyshire & David Archibald #trustees #thankyou #teamwork #expertise #children #families #youngpeople

*DEADLINE APPROACHING* ⏱ Our Brand and Communications Lead role is closing on Sunday. This is an exciting #job #opportunity to lead our brand and communications function and develop our new marketing strategy. You'll use your experience and expertise to drive big-picture thinking and our engagement with key audiences through telling the story of our work to improve the lives of children and families. If that sounds like you, make sure to get your application in ASAP. https://lnkd.in/e3NZehsK #jobs #marketing #branding #marcomms #vacancy #communications

NEW *JOBS* ANNOUNCED We're delighted to launch not one, not two, but THREE new roles at Dartington Service Design Lab. These three positions will help shape the future of our organisation, continuing to build on our work to help improve outcomes for children and families. Our first role is Brand and Communications Lead. This is a fab position that will drive engagement with our key audiences, helping us to tell the story of our work, and ensuring our communications help us deliver our mission and ambition. Our second role is Service and Systemic Change Evaluator. The work involves applying mixed methods and working with an interdisciplinary team (internally and with collaborating partners). Our third role is Bid Writing and Business Development Lead. This person will lead the end-to-end bidding process, from identifying and nurturing suitable applied research, service design and consultancy opportunities and invitations to tender, developing compelling proposals (involving the wider team as required), managing bid submissions, adherence to compliance requirements and deadlines, and supporting the team with preparation for interviews. If you're wanting more information, check out CEO Tim Hobbs' LinkedIn for a video all about the roles, otherwise head to our website to apply now: https://lnkd.in/euCwixAk #jobs #vacancies #opportunities #comms #marcomms #branding #systemschange #systemiclead #systems #newbiz #businessdevelopment #bidwriting #business #funding

This #MentalHealthAwarenessDay, we're delighted to bring you another brilliant #blog from the #Kailo partnership, sharing strategies on tackling the social determinants of youth mental health, designed by and for young people in the areas they know. Here, local community researcher Amelia Ahmed shares one of two strategies being formed in Newham, looking into increasing access to and the profiles of safe youth and community spaces across the area, to support the #mentalhealth and #wellbeing of young people across Newham. This is a timely strategy built on #evidence generated through system mapping sessions conducted with young people in the area. Let us know what you think and if you'd like to be involved in the next stages! https://lnkd.in/e28ptmJV #mentalhealth #wellbeing #youthspaces #communityspace #systemstools #youngpeople #safety #community #communityassets #strategy