Part 3: Mapping and workshops
Strand 3: The Reality of a Whole Systems Approach
Video
Learning Objectives
After watching this section, you should be able to:
- Describe the practical mapping and workshop process used to build a local picture for a whole systems approach
- Explain how local data sources and academic partnerships can be used to build an evidence base and identify gaps in current action
- Identify the four pillars used for planning actions
Key Points
- Workshops focused on specific local themes chosen based on existing momentum (e.g. physical activity in and around schools, and a joint climate-and-food workshop linked to a council’s existing climate commitment) — this helped create focused cross-sector conversation
- Academic partners at Leeds Beckett University helped shape workshop questions and develop the causal maps
- Understanding local uniqueness — priority neighbourhoods, the urban/rural mix, working as a two-tier council, existing networks and activity, existing plans and frameworks, and strategic timing — is central to shaping the approach
- Existing local authority and academic data (e.g. the Consumer Data Research Centre’s Priority Places for Food Index, a low-income families tracker, and hot food takeaway data) was used to build evidence and target areas, rather than starting from scratch
- A national action mapping tool was adapted to map current actions against wider social, economic and environmental determinants — not just individual lifestyle factors — helping identify gaps and leading to four pillars for planning: healthy weight environment, prevention, support, and system leadership
- Monitoring actions against these four pillars over time showed how focus evolved, including introducing “prevention” as a new action area and expanding work on the healthy weight environment
Further Reading
Add recommended readings or links for this segment.
Knowledge Check
Complete the questions below before moving on.
Alongside the action mapping tool, which behaviour change model is described as being used to help develop recommendations for a health needs assessment on promoting healthy weight?
The correct answer is The COM-B model (capability, opportunity, motivation and behaviour). This section describes using a model that looks at the capability, opportunity, and motivation behind individuals’ behaviours while also acknowledging external factors that make a behaviour possible — this is the COM-B model. It was used alongside the action mapping tool to help develop recommendations for a health needs assessment on healthy weight. The other models named are genuine behaviour-change frameworks but are not the one referred to in this section.
- False — the Transtheoretical Model (Stages of Change) is not the model described in this section.
- True
- False — the Theory of Planned Behaviour is not the model described in this section.
- False — the Health Belief Model is not the model described in this section.