Creating a Data-Driven Future for Brent using the Social Progress Index
Brent is a dynamic and diverse borough, yet it faces complex challenges like health disparities, housing shortages, and educational gaps. The council’s mission is to ensure that every resident has access to the services and opportunities they need to thrive. However, traditional approaches to service delivery have their limitations, often lacking the precision needed to tackle the root causes of these issues.
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The Social Progress Index (SPI) is Brent Council's response to this challenge. It was developed to provide a clear, evidence-based picture of how well communities across the borough are performing on the key social indicators that matter most, such as education, health, safety, and opportunity. The purpose of the SPI is to ensure that every decision made by the council is informed by data, enabling smarter, more targeted interventions that truly meet the needs of our residents
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Impera addressed the challenges through a comprehensive approach:
Brent Council partnered with Impera Analytics, a leader in “data-for-good” solutions, to develop a tailored SPI model for the borough. This collaboration focused on creating a multi-layered data model that captures the key social outcomes at a ward level. The action plan was clear:
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Data Collection: Bringing together data from key council services like housing, education, and social care to build a comprehensive index.
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Analysis: Running statistical tests to uncover trends and root causes, enabling the council to pinpoint where interventions are most needed.
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Visualisation: Developing user-friendly dashboards that provide clear insights for council members, enabling them to make data-driven decisions that impact their wards.
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Engagement: Training stakeholders and launching roadshows to introduce the SPI tool to community groups and ensure that residents can access the insights generated.
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By creating a centralised tool for data analysis and insights, Brent is aligning the SPI with its borough plan, ensuring that every initiative is measurable and can be adjusted based on real-time data.
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Impact: A path to longterm Social Progress
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Though the SPI is still in its early stages, the impact is already evident. Brent Council now has the ability to make more informed decisions, identifying areas where interventions can be most effective. Over the next several months, the SPI will continue to evolve, helping the council:
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Prioritise Resources: By focusing investments where they will have the most significant impact.
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Prevent Crises: Spotting early signs of social challenges before they escalate.
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Empower Communities: Giving residents access to anonymised, ward-level data, enabling them to advocate for their needs and participate in the decision-making process.
Looking ahead, the SPI will not only support long-term social progress in Brent but also set a new standard for how local authorities can use data to create meaningful change. By bringing together purpose, action, and impact, the SPI is transforming Brent into a borough where every resident can thrive.