The needs of vulnerable families
Method development: New ways to involve and understand citizens
For Guldborgsund Municipality
Team: Kenneth Balfelt, Laura Bach Vilsgaard and Laurits Adam Monty
2021-2022
How can the municipality create a more citizen-centred approach that understands the full extent of the challenges faced by vulnerable families and can therefore initiate precise, early interventions that make a real difference?
Guldborgsund Municipality has launched the initiative ‘One citizen - one plan - one place’. This is an optimisation of authority to make the process more meaningful and simple for citizens who have complex and complex issues and are in contact with several different units in the municipality.
Model photo of family
Guldborgsund Municipality therefore wanted to know more about what is at stake in the lives of its citizens, so that dialogue, case processes and initiatives make the best possible sense and have the greatest possible effect. In the winter of 2021-2022, Guldborgsund Municipality asked Kenneth Balfelt Team to conduct a study on the situation and needs of vulnerable families. This resulted in a report, a methodology film and the initiation of a process around this.
This is because a crucial prerequisite for succeeding with the vision of a more citizen-centred approach is a more holistic approach and a shared understanding of the citizens' needs and situation among employees. Against this background, the project has developed three focus areas that form the basis for the future strategy to become more citizen-centred:
1. Continuous and more thorough analysis
2. Early intervention
3. Better coherence and easier access to the municipality for citizens
These were communicated in a report and two short films.
In November 2023, we hired a coordinator to ensure that the citizen's life situation is taken into account in the case processing. So what you suggest in your report, called a navigator.
The coordinator started by visiting the different sectors in the municipality (labour market, children & family, disability and adult services) to ensure cooperation and coordination in the cases in the target group. Here she talks about the approach we want to improve in all cases, as well as your report, your survey and conclusions.
Allan Ruders, Director of Wellbeing & Social Initiatives/Children & Learning, Guldborgsund Municipality
(Quote translated, Balfelt Team)
