Beacon Status
Sheffield City Council has been awarded Beacon Status for three areas of work. Each of these successes has had a significant contribution from partnership-working. The Beacon Scheme is intended to celebrate success within local government and its work with partners.
The relevant overviews of Sheffield City Council for each of the 3 areas are below:
'Better brighter futures'
Sheffield has used 14-19 reforms to drive educational attainment standards and deliver economic transformation and social inclusion. The 14-19 partnership, known as Learning for Life, (LfL) is closely linked to the target sectors identified in the city’s economic strategy. The partnership has a strong reputation for working closely with the business sector and has established local Diploma Entitlement Partnerships that bring employers and the educational community together to plan for curriculum and qualification reform. This includes high quality vocational facilities in partnership with employers, a retail training facility at the Meadowhall retail complex and a construction design centre sponsored by national building firms.
'Better public places'
Sheffield’s use of high quality and bold design in the public realm, the high level of maintenance within the city centre, and the focus on areas of higher deprivation demonstrates the transformation of public space in the town centre. The Council has taken the initiative in creating new and innovative ways to lever additional funding, through Green Estates, which have delivered impressive results.
'Reducing health inequalities'
Sheffield combines strong and mature leadership for tackling health inequalities with neighbourhood based approaches to service design and delivery. Excellent initiatives include the Enhanced Public Health Programme, a community development and health course, and a multi-layered activity strategy, accessible to all. Sheffield’s work has lifted the authority out of the “spearhead” group of authorities with the most serious health inequalities.
In addition the Council received a special commendation for demonstrating a holistic approach, excellence and innovation across a range of services. The commendation noted “Sheffield City Council and its partners are now reaping the rewards of investing in a vision for a strong and prosperous community.”