The MEAM Approach

Sustainability and systems change

Making sure the intervention is sustainable through systemic change

The MEAM Approach Partnership, coproduction and vision Consistency in selecting a caseload Coordination for clients and services Flexible responses from services Service improvement and workforce development Measurement of success Sustainability and systems change
Partnership, coproduction and vision
Consistency in selecting a caseload
Coordination for clients and services
Flexible responses from services
Service improvement and workforce development
Measurement of success
Sustainability and systems change

A successful MEAM Approach area will:

  • Recognise that the coordinated intervention is unlikely to be sustainable in the long-term unless the local area can develop systemic changes, and be committed to doing this as a partnership. This will require firm commitments from the board and operational group, as well as wider services and decision makers in the local area.
  • Develop a systems change plan that sets out the shared vision and ambition of the partnership and how it plans to develop sustainable changes to local services and systems. This is likely to include some of the cultural, strategic, commissioning, economic and legal issues discussed in the ‘flexible responses’ and ‘service improvement/workforce development’ elements.
  • Consider developing an agreed set of values that will guide and shape the work of the partnership on systems change and hold partners accountable. This will help to ensure that the work is sustainable and not reliant on the enthusiasm of key individuals.
  • Think creatively about where the long-term solutions lie in creating change to the way the local area responds to people experiencing multiple disadvantage. There may be roles for the wider community or the private sector. A successful partnership will consider how to make the most of local resources and opportunities when supporting people to make lasting change to their lives.
  • Consider where the power lies in creating change. In order to empower people to change their lives, partnerships should be prepared to share power in all aspects of their work. This includes the partnership’s work on systems as well as services. There should be a clear role in systems change for people with experience of multiple disadvantage and those who support them.