Reshaping adult services in Powys through local hubs

What is the project?

The Locality Hub project is a transformation initiative aimed at reshaping adult services across Powys.  

Its main ambition is to empower individuals to remain safe, strong and independent in their communities by focusing on prevention and early intervention.  

Each Locality Hub will offer walk-in and digital support, including AI-powered tools, and will be complemented by outreach services in pop-up locations such as libraries to reach people in rural areas.  

The hubs will streamline access to multidisciplinary professionals — such as social workers, occupational therapists and third-sector partners — at the first point of contact. This will help reduce delays and the risk of people being passed from one service to the next unnecessarily. 

Why is it being carried out?

The current system can result in fragmented responses, long waits and people having to repeat their stories multiple times.  

This model is designed to ease pressure on statutory services, cut waiting times and improve user experience by minimising the need for repeated storytelling.  

Based on the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014, the project promotes co-production, well-being and community resilience. It also aligns with the council’s wider goals for early help and sustainable service delivery. 

Where and when is the work taking place?

This work is being carried out in adult social care in Powys. 

It started in 2024 and is a three-year project. 

Who’s involved?

The work is being led by Powys County Council. 

Social Care Wales has provided support with developing the new model of practice, as well as coaching for managers and introducing Human Learning Systems. Human Learning Systems is a way of working that focuses on learning, relationships and adapting to what really matters to people. 

Coaching was provided by Leaderful Action, commissioned through our innovation coaching service. 

The work is being funded by internal Powys County Council funding and Regional Integration Fund. 

What have they learned from the work?

While the hubs haven’t been put into practice yet, the project team have engaged with staff members and the public on what the future should look like. The team found this consultation and co-production “extremely beneficial”. 

The authority had some relatively new managers within its service and wanted to support them to bring about the changes that were needed. To do this, they identified that individual and group coaching would help to strengthen the solid foundations of the service. 

The team found the coaching programme to be a huge success, with 10 team managers completing multiple one-to-one sessions. They also had access to group coaching sessions.  

It fostered leadership development and introduced Human Learning Systems thinking, which the managers have started rolling out in their teams.  

A major challenge for the managers was committing time to attend the coaching sessions, but they felt the benefits they got from attending were really worthwhile.  

Participants reported increased confidence, better team engagement and a clearer understanding of their roles in delivering the Locality Hub model. 

The team have also trialled various AI solutions and adopted many into their day-to-day working practices. They’ve learned that while there are lots of concerns and challenges about all aspects of AI, it can have big benefits once appropriate safeguards have been built in.