As part of their wider Improvement Plan, West Midlands Association of Directors of Adult Social Services and Improvement & Efficiency West Midlands approached HSMC to work with them to look at the different approaches being taken across the West Midlands towards prevention and ways to support local communities. The resulting report has just been published. “Inside out and upside down: Community based approaches to social care prevention in a time of austerity” showcases six councils that have developed their approaches to asset based community development in a climate of austerity. The report draws out some of the themes that are emerging from these approaches and highlights some of the common factors that have been seen to be successful in both reducing costs and encouraging partnership working.