The Health and Wellbeing Board of Enfield Council was scheduled to discuss a range of topics aimed at improving the health and wellbeing of residents. Key areas of focus included the operational action plan for the Health and Wellbeing Strategy, an update on the Joint Strategic Needs Assessment, and the Best Start in Life local plan. The meeting also planned to cover community health updates and referral pathways for employment support.

Health and Wellbeing Strategy Operational Action Plan

The board was scheduled to receive an update on the operational action plan for the Health and Wellbeing Strategy. This plan outlines the steps being taken to implement the council's overarching health and wellbeing goals. The report was intended to provide information on progress made and any necessary adjustments to the strategy's implementation.

Enfield Joint Strategic Needs Assessment Update

An update on the Enfield Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA) was scheduled for discussion. The JSNA is a legal requirement under the Health and Social Care Act 2012, and it aims to identify the current and future health and wellbeing needs of the local population. The report was expected to detail the findings of the assessment, highlighting variations in health across the borough and identifying any gaps in health and care services. The document indicated that the JSNA process involves stakeholder engagement, consideration of statutory requirements and inspections, and support for commissioning decisions. Topics scheduled for updates in 2026/27 included gambling, autism, employment, deprivation, vaccine-preventable infections, health and housing, smoking, environment and climate change, health protection, oral health, sexual and reproductive health, and early years and Best Start in Life.

Best Start in Life Local Plan

The board was set to review the Best Start in Life Local Plan. This plan is developed in response to the national Giving Every Child the Best Start in Life strategy and the rollout of Best Start Family Hubs. It aims to ensure that all children in Enfield, regardless of their background, are supported to thrive from the beginning of their lives. The plan is rooted in Enfield's local context and builds on existing strengths, with a focus on tackling inequality early, strengthening families, and providing children with strong foundations for growth, learning, and flourishing. The report was expected to detail how the council plans to meet ambitious targets for children achieving a Good Level of Development by 2028, with specific goals for all children and those eligible for free school meals. The plan's vision is for every child in Enfield to thrive and be supported to have the best start in life, achieve a good level of development, laying strong foundations for children's lifelong health, wellbeing, learning and future opportunities. Key priorities include improving maternal and infant health, strengthening parent-infant relationships, increasing parenting confidence, improving early childhood development, increasing access to support for disadvantaged families, and embedding a unified, jointly commissioned Best Start in Life system.

Community Health Update

A report on community health was scheduled for presentation. This item was intended to provide an overview of current community health services and initiatives. The report was to be presented by James Rimmer, Chief Executive of North Middlesex University Hospital, Shola Adegoroye, Director of Operations at North Middlesex Hospital and Community Services, and Doug Wilson, Statutory Director of Health and Adult Social Care for London Borough of Enfield.

Connect to Work - Referral Pathways

The board was scheduled to receive an update on the Connect to Work programme and its referral pathways. This programme is designed to support individuals with health conditions, disabilities, or complex barriers to find and sustain employment. The report was to be presented by Lisa Grogan, Operations Director at Working Well Trust, and Nat Buckeridge, Employment Skills and Partnership Manager at Enfield Council. The Connect to Work programme is based on the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) model, which focuses on competitive paid employment, is person-centred and voluntary, and integrates employment support with health and community services. The report highlighted that in 2023, 2.5 million people were economically inactive due to long-term sickness, with mental health conditions being the most common reported health issue. The Connect to Work programme aims to address this by providing dedicated employment specialists, in-depth needs analysis, job search support, and advice on equality rights and reasonable adjustments.

Better Care Fund

The board was also scheduled to note reports on the Better Care Fund, which has been renamed the Integrated Care Funding Framework (ICFF). This item was for noting, meaning no specific decisions were expected, but it provided an opportunity for members to be informed about the fund's progress and any related developments. The previous minutes from the meeting on 4 March 2026 were also scheduled for noting.