Mark has over 25 years’ experience in reforming public services, including nine years as a director for a local authority. His innovations around supporting people dealing with addiction and and/or trauma have led to transformative outcomes whilst consuming far fewer resources. As Director of Public Service Reform at Gateshead Council, Mark pioneered the Liberated Method, a relational approach that focusses on meeting people where they are and helping them build their path at their pace. It is deeply rooted in relational practice. This approach emphasizes building strong, meaningful relationships between public service providers, communities, and individuals.

Relational practice within the Liberated Method enables public services to be more responsive, adaptive, and tailored to the unique needs of diverse communities. It shifts the focus from transactional service delivery to one that nurtures connection, mutual respect, and shared responsibility, creating a foundation for sustainable and inclusive change. Through these relational bonds, the Liberated Method fosters a sense of ownership, empowerment, and collective action that truly transforms public services for the better. He is now combining academic work and independent consultancy in advising multiple community organisations and UK government agencies in their pursuit of public service reform. Mark Smith is a Partner in the Human Learning Systems Collaborative.