Sometimes simple solutions are the most effective. Like supporting vulnerable young people stepping out on their own while reusing waste items. With an expert guide, we take a closer look at an easy-to-deliver scheme rooted in logic.
Place leadership is often discussed in strategic terms. But for me, it becomes real when different departments come together to solve a problem and genuinely improve the lives of people in our community. It’s about seeing the whole system and asking not what service owns an issue, but how we collectively make things better.
Asking the right questions
A recent Staffordshire project supporting care leavers illustrates this in practice. Like many councils, we were asking how we could better support young people leaving care and experiencing one of the most challenging transitions they will face. Moving into a first home is a significant milestone, but without family support or a strong financial footing, it can be scary, isolating and stressful.
Rather than creating a new service or bidding for additional funding, colleagues across children’s services and waste and recycling asked a different question. What can we already do, together, that would make a real difference?
The answer lay in an unexpected place. Every day, good quality furniture and household items are taken to our household waste recycling centres. By establishing reuse hubs and giving care leavers the first choice of donated items, we were able to help young people furnish their homes with essentials at no cost.
At the same time, we reduced waste and supported a more circular approach to resources. This scheme works because it is simple, practical and acknowledges the human at the centre of the question. It does not feel like a policy intervention, it just feels like common sense applied with compassion.
Results, rewards and recognition
What’s been most encouraging is how quickly the idea gained traction once our teams saw the impact. Staff could see a direct connection between their day-to-day roles and improved outcomes for young people. That shared sense of purpose is powerful and we have found that when people understand how their work contributes to a wider ambition for place, further innovation and confidence follows.
I’m proud to say that the project has since received national recognition, not because it is complex or expensive, but because it demonstrates what good place leadership looks like in action. It shows how councils can break out of silos and use existing assets differently when there is trust and a willingness to collaborate.
This is exactly the kind of approach that ADEPT has long advocated. During my time as President, I saw the value of bringing different disciplines together and encouraging leaders to think beyond their traditional remits. Too often, local government structures push us to focus on what we are responsible for, rather than what we are capable of achieving together.
Champion your best schemes
Projects like this also underline how social, environmental and economic outcomes are linked. Supporting care leavers to establish stable homes is a social strength, but it also reduces pressure on other public services and supports long term independence. Reusing furniture aligns with environmental priorities and contributes to a more sustainable use of resources. Just one initiative delivers multiple benefits because it is rooted in place and people and shows an understanding of the needs of both.
As councils face ongoing financial pressures, this kind of problem solving will become increasingly important. We will not meet rising demand by simply doing more of the same. Instead, we need to make better use of what we already have and focus relentlessly on our outcomes rather than organisational boundaries.
This project is also a strong example of the kind of initiative ADEPT would like to see submitted to the 2026 President’s Awards. It reflects the core principles of place leadership including collaboration, creativity and a clear focus on people. It also highlights the role that environment and infrastructure services can play in delivering social outcomes, something that can be overlooked.
The decisions we make as place leaders shape not just services, but lives. When departments come together around a shared purpose, we can create solutions that are practical and sustainable. That is the kind of support our communities need, and the kind of leadership we should continue to champion.
Darryl Eyers is Director for Economy, Infrastructure and Skills at Staffordshire County Council and former-President of the Association of Directors of Environment, Economy, Planning and Transport (ADEPT).
Image: Samuel Yongbo Kwon / Unsplash
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