Building a social innovation lab

Kent County Council’s story is a familiar one for those working in local government. With each passing year they are forced to operate in a more complex environment defined by increasingly high expectations and reduced budgets. Their achievements are being measured against more holistic outcomes which expand their roles and responsibilities. To add to that their citizens are becoming more discerning about the council services they receive.

As a recognised leader in innovative practice in the public sector KCC proposed to address these challenges through the creation of a Social Innovation Lab for Kent (SILK). KCC sought Engine’s help in its development as a way to build capacity across their organisation for connecting peoples’ everyday lives with the process of policy making and service design.

Exploring opportunities for families highlighted by ethnographic research

Through conversations and direct collaboration on a series of projects with a cross section of council staff, Engine learned that no single fixed process for innovation would support the work being done by KCC’s 45,000 staff members. Instead we found that the characteristics of each project should define that process. To do this we developed and tested a structured approach to project work supported by a powerful set of creative techniques. Both emphasised the importance of focusing on peoples’ needs and aspirations as a starting point and demonstrated the value of engaging citizens at all stages of project work.

Using the SILK toolkit to scope a future project

In partnership with the team in Kent County Council, Engine developed a tailored project management framework and an accompanying toolkit to enable SILK to stimulate and support innovative practice amongst council staff. Additionally Engine produced a suite of communications helping SILK to define and promote its offer both internally and externally.

Engine is continuing to support a growing team of SILK staff on project work, helping them to build their capacity to be responsive and to engage communities, thus ensuring that they will continue to lead in public service delivery.