Better access to services and outcomes for Kirklees residents

Residents will be able to access more council support services from a single point of contact under new proposals by Kirklees Council.

Councillors today (12 December) approved proposals that offer a more integrated and streamlined community offer for Kirklees residents that will mean residents need to ‘tell their story once’ to access the services and support they need.

The creation of an integrated community team that will be more knowledgeable about needs on a local level will be created as a result of the proposals. This multi-disciplinary team will be better able to signpost residents to the support they need for their health and wellbeing, self-care, reducing social isolation, and creating inclusive communities without referring people to multiple sources.  

A green light has also been given to integrate the council’s multiple call centres and undertake a review of opening hours in the new year.  The first phase will see Kirklees Direct (the council’s main switchboard service) integrating with the Community Health and Social Care Hub.  Councillors also approved changes to community grant funding from the council.    

The changes mean more efficient ways of working across frontline community facing teams which will reduce costs and ultimately contribute £1.4m towards the council’s aims to plug the £47m budget deficit.

Councillor Mussarat Pervaiz, Cabinet Member for Communities said: “We said reducing inequalities was key as we recovered from the impact of COVID-19.  Now we want to take that one step further with a more integrated community offer where residents can access multiple support services, advice and guidance they need through a single call or conversation in the community.

“Creating more efficient ways of working where services are available at a more local level from people with a better understanding of local needs, will enable better outcomes for Kirklees residents when it comes to their health and their working lives.”