The Health and Wellbeing Board is scheduled to discuss the Better Care Fund, the Holiday Activity and Food Programme, and the health needs of young people involved with the youth justice system. The meeting will also cover the evolving landscape of health and social care services and the board's work programme.

Better Care Fund

The board will review the Better Care Fund (BCF) Quarter 4 Report for the financial year 2025-2026. This report details the London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham's (H&F) and the West and North London Integrated Care Board's (ICB) performance and financial outturn for the fund. The Better Care Fund aims to support community health and social care resources to reduce hospital admissions and facilitate timely discharges. The report indicates that while emergency admissions for those aged 65 and over are on track, discharge delays remain above target. Residential admissions for older people have seen fewer admissions than planned, reflecting increased use of community-based support. The report also highlights successes in joint working and governance, but notes challenges including disruption from the failure of a community equipment provider. Financially, there was a net overspend of approximately 1.1% against the overall BCF plan for 2025-26, largely due to issues with community equipment provision.

Holiday Activity and Food Programme

The board is set to consider the Holiday Activity and Food Programme, specifically the Summer in the City initiative. This programme provides free enriching activities and nutritious meals to children eligible for benefits-related free school meals. For Summer 2026, the programme introduces a new Quality Mark and Inclusion Toolkit to enhance provision. The initiative aims to support children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), with a significant proportion of attendees from global majority backgrounds. New elements include a programme for older children and a partnership with MIND to support young people's mental health and wellbeing. The report outlines the programme's key objectives, including inclusive and accessible provision, youth-led planning, and a focus on wellbeing and mental health.

Health Needs of Young People in Contact with Youth Justice

A report will be presented on the health needs of young people in contact with the Youth Justice Service (YJS), based on the H&F YJS Wellbeing Team's 2025 annual report. This multi-disciplinary team comprises health and education professionals working to identify needs and provide coordinated support. The report highlights that a significant majority of young people open to the YJS in 2025 had contact with the Wellbeing Team, with most of their mental health needs being addressed. A notable finding is the high prevalence of Speech, Language and Communication Needs (SLCN) among these young people, with 90% of those receiving Speech and Language Therapy (SaLT) contact having identified or suspected SLCN, compared to 4.4% in the general child population. The report also details the involvement of Educational Psychologists and Specialist Community Public Health Nurses, and outlines what is working well, such as prompt assessments and joint working, alongside areas for development, including reminder systems and outreach.

Responding to Shifting System Landscapes

The board will receive a report summarising the evolving health and social care landscape and its impact on board oversight. This evolution is driven by national agendas such as the 10-Year Plan, a shift towards neighbourhood-based delivery, and reforms in SEND and Children's Social Care. The report emphasises a consistent direction towards prevention, early intervention, and person-centred care, aiming for more joined-up, locally coordinated support to improve outcomes and reduce inequalities. It highlights the alignment of partners across health, social care, housing, public health, and the Voluntary, Community, Faith, and Social Enterprise (VCFSE) sector. The report also touches upon the Adult Social Care Strategy, the 10 Year NHS Plan, SEND Reforms, Best Start in Life Reforms, and Families First Reforms, all contributing to this shifting landscape.

Work Programme

The board will discuss its work programme, outlining future topics and priorities for discussion and oversight.

The meeting will also note the dates of future meetings scheduled for 9 September 2026, 9 December 2026, and 16 March 2027.