The Health & Wellbeing Board and ICB Sub-Committee met on Tuesday 13 January 2026 to discuss a range of critical public health initiatives and service updates. Key decisions included noting the progress of the 2025/26 Winter Plan, receiving an update on the significant restructuring of the North East London Integrated Care Board (ICB), and reviewing the positive outcomes of the Care Quality Commission's inspection of adult social care services.

Resident's Story: The Connect Programme

The meeting began with a case study about Joshua, a 24-year-old who has benefited from the Connect programme. Joshua, who has sickle cell anaemia, faced significant barriers to social connection due to frequent hospitalisations. Through Connect, he was introduced to Shed Life, a community group where he has built friendships, gained confidence, and is now volunteering. The programme also provided him with a refurbished iPad to pursue his passion for drawing and comics, leading to the development of Shed Inc., a comic-focused initiative. Joshua's story highlighted the programme's success in improving his health management, social skills, and overall well-being, demonstrating a tangible impact on his life.

2025/26 Barking and Dagenham Winter Plan Update

Kelvin Hankins, Deputy Director for Ageing Well at the Barking and Dagenham Place Team, NEL ICB, presented an update on the borough's winter plan. The plan, originally approved in September 2025, focuses on three key themes: proactive population health and care, optimising patient flow through acute and community sites, and strengthening alternative pathways to reduce pressure on urgent and emergency care.

Significant progress has been made in proactive care, with 50% of practices now using the Eclipse risk stratification tool to identify residents needing coordinated health and social care support. Universal Care Plans are being implemented for proactive care residents, with over 100 individuals now having such plans. The Falls Proactive Care Model is set to go live, and there has been a positive increase in the number of residents with end-of-life care universal care plans. A pop-up event for homeless individuals and asylum seekers was held in November, with participation from NHS England.

In terms of optimising patient flow, the Barking and Dagenham Transfer of Care Hub is in development, with the BHR Integrated Discharge Hub currently in place. A pilot for access visits to ensure safe home discharges is ongoing.

Under strengthening alternative pathways, the Community Respiratory Hub has exceeded its appointment targets, and asthma reviews for children and young people are complete. The Directory of Services has been reviewed and updated. A pilot for Serious Mental Illness (SMI) physical health checks is underway, and an escalation process for non-admitted CYP in crisis has been reviewed and implemented. Utilisation of Virtual Wards for respiratory and frailty patients is being monitored, and a BHR CTT crisis response car pilot is in operation.

Additional initiatives funded through the Better Care Fund include increased community equipment provision to cope with winter demand, a new reablement pathway to ensure timely discharge and promote independence, and a pilot night needs assessment service to support residents at home. Funding has also been allocated to support care homes in managing residents with increased complexity.

North East London Integrated Care Board (ICB) Restructure Update

Charlotte Pomery, Chief Strategic Commissioning Officer for NHS North East London, provided an update on the ICB's restructuring plans. Driven by a national mandate to reduce running costs by 50% and become a leaner organisation, the ICB is currently consulting with staff on a proposed reduction in its workforce from 855 to 573 full-time equivalents. The new model will be structured around four departments: Strategy, Strategic Commissioning, Clinical and Quality Commissioning, and Finance and Resources. Neighbourhood development will be integrated within the Strategic Commissioning department, with dedicated place delivery teams to support local partnerships. The consultation period ends on 21 January 2026, with final outcomes expected in February. The restructuring aims to align the ICB with the Model ICB Blueprint and the NHS's 10-Year Plan, focusing on strategic commissioning, population health, and tackling inequalities.

Neighbourhood Working Update

Fiona Russell, Director of Care, Community and Health Integration, and Sharon Morrow, Director of Partnership, Impact and Delivery, provided an update on the Neighbourhood Working Programme. Barking and Dagenham has been selected as one of 43 implementation sites for the National Neighbourhood Health Implementation Programme (NNHIP). Progress includes signing a compact with the DHSC, developing a high-level delivery plan, and recruiting a Local Place Coach. Test and Learn workshops are being established to develop integrated neighbourhood teams, with a focus on resident insight and a Think Family approach. The programme aims to improve population health, tackle inequalities, and shift care from hospitals to the community. Challenges identified include the delay in national guidance and the need for robust data-sharing arrangements.

Families First Partnership Programme (FFPP)

Angela D'Urso, Practice Lead for the Families First Partnership Programme, presented an update on this significant transformation of children's social care. The FFPP, sponsored by the Department for Education, aims to reduce the number of children entering the care system by creating a seamless system of help, support, and protection. Key pillars of change include establishing Multi-Agency Family Help teams, a single front door for families, a single assessment and plan, Multi-Agency Child Protection Teams, and integrating Family Group Decision Making. The programme is on track with its timeline, with a focus on co-designing services with staff, partners, children, and families. The report recommended that a Think Family approach be applied to neighbourhood service delivery developments and highlighted key areas for health leaders to consider in co-designing new services to prevent escalation of issues and ensure timely support.

Adults Social Care CQC Inspection Outcome

Joanne Starkie, Head of Service Improvement and Regulation Readiness, reported on the overwhelmingly positive outcome of the Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspection of adult social care services in Barking and Dagenham. The borough received an outstanding rating, with particular praise for its approach to prevention, partnership working, safe systems, organisational culture, and leadership. The inspection highlighted areas for improvement, including enhancing information and support for unpaid carers, embedding co-production more consistently, and addressing delays in Occupational Therapy assessments. These areas will be addressed through the 2025-30 Adult Social Care and Support Plan.

Progress Towards Delivering 'Smokefree 2030' in Barking and Dagenham

Dr Mike Brannan, Consultant in Public Health, presented the progress made towards the 'Smokefree 2030' target. Barking and Dagenham has exceeded its 2024/25 target for residents setting a quit date, with 843 individuals supported, a nearly threefold increase from the previous year. This success is attributed to a comprehensive approach including a communications campaign, an award-winning enforcement team tackling illicit tobacco and vapes, and the expansion of stop smoking support through community pharmacies and hospital settings. A place-based CYP Vaping Partnership has also been established. However, the report highlighted the increasing challenge of engaging those least ready to quit and the need for significant increases in quit attempts to meet the 2030 target, particularly as national funding is not expected to increase proportionally. The report recommended that partners consider how they can contribute to this ambitious goal.

JSNA Deep Dive: Carers' Health Needs in Barking and Dagenham

Jo Broadbent, Interim Consultant in Public Health, presented a deep dive into the health needs of informal carers in Barking and Dagenham. The assessment found that while many carers in the borough report positive experiences, such as being included in care decisions and having good social contact, a substantial number face significant emotional, social, and financial challenges. Key areas for improvement include general health and wellbeing support, financial and employment assistance, recognition of the carer role, strategic alignment of services, enhancing awareness of available support, and addressing the specific needs of young carers, LGBTQ+ carers, and those supporting individuals with challenging behaviour. The report recommended a Think Family approach to support, improved data linkage, and enhanced awareness and accessibility of information, advice, and guidance. The Health and Wellbeing Board and ICB Sub-Committee were recommended to agree the publication of the Carers' Health Needs Assessment.

Footnotes:

Resident's Story: The Connect Programme

The meeting began with a case study highlighting the impact of the Connect programme on Joshua, a 24-year-old with sickle cell anaemia. Joshua faced significant social isolation due to his health condition. Through Connect, he was introduced to Shed Life, a community group where he has built friendships, gained confidence, and is now a volunteer. The programme also provided him with a refurbished iPad to support his interest in drawing and comics, leading to the development of Shed Inc. Joshua's experience demonstrated the programme's success in improving his health management, social skills, and overall well-being.

2025/26 Barking and Dagenham Winter Plan Update

Kelvin Hankins, Deputy Director for Ageing Well at the Barking and Dagenham Place Team, NEL ICB, provided an update on the borough's winter plan. The plan focuses on three key areas: proactive population health and care, optimising patient flow, and strengthening alternative pathways to reduce pressure on urgent and emergency care.

Significant progress has been made in proactive care, with 50% of practices using the Eclipse risk stratification tool. Universal Care Plans are being implemented for proactive care residents, and the Falls Proactive Care Model is set to launch. A pop-up event for homeless individuals and asylum seekers was held in November.

In terms of patient flow, the Barking and Dagenham Transfer of Care Hub is under development, with the BHR Integrated Discharge Hub currently operational.

Under alternative pathways, the Community Respiratory Hub has exceeded its appointment targets. Asthma reviews for children and young people are complete, and the Directory of Services has been updated. A pilot for Serious Mental Illness (SMI) physical health checks is underway, and an escalation process for non-admitted CYP in crisis has been implemented. Virtual Ward utilisation is being monitored, and a BHR CTT crisis response car pilot is active.

Additional initiatives funded by the Better Care Fund include increased community equipment provision, a new reablement pathway, and a pilot night needs assessment service. Funding has also been allocated to support care homes with complex residents.

North East London Integrated Care Board (ICB) Restructure Update

Charlotte Pomery, Chief Strategic Commissioning Officer for NHS North East London, outlined the ICB's restructuring plans. Driven by a national mandate to reduce running costs by 50%, the ICB is consulting staff on a proposed workforce reduction from 855 to 573 full-time equivalents. The new model will comprise four departments: Strategy, Strategic Commissioning, Clinical and Quality Commissioning, and Finance and Resources. Neighbourhood development will be integrated within Strategic Commissioning, with dedicated place delivery teams. The consultation closes on 21 January 2026.

Neighbourhood Working Update

Fiona Russell, Director of Care, Community and Health Integration, and Sharon Morrow, Director of Partnership, Impact and Delivery, provided an update on the Neighbourhood Working Programme. Barking and Dagenham is a pilot site for the National Neighbourhood Health Implementation Programme (NNHIP). Progress includes developing a delivery plan, establishing integrated neighbourhood teams through Test and Learn workshops, and focusing on resident insight. The programme aims to improve population health, tackle inequalities, and shift care towards prevention.

Families First Partnership Programme (FFPP)

Angela D'Urso, Practice Lead for the Families First Partnership Programme, presented an update on this significant transformation of children's social care. The FFPP aims to reduce the number of children entering care by creating seamless support systems. Key changes include establishing Multi-Agency Family Help teams, a single front door for families, and integrating Family Group Decision Making. The programme is on track, with a focus on co-design and a Think Family approach.

Adults Social Care CQC Inspection Outcome

Joanne Starkie, Head of Service Improvement and Regulation Readiness, reported on the outstanding rating received from the Care Quality Commission (CQC) for adult social care services. The inspection praised prevention, partnership working, and leadership. Areas for improvement include enhancing support for unpaid carers, embedding co-production, and addressing Occupational Therapy assessment delays.

Progress Towards Delivering 'Smokefree 2030' in Barking and Dagenham

Dr Mike Brannan, Consultant in Public Health, presented the progress towards the 'Smokefree 2030' target. Barking and Dagenham exceeded its 2024/25 target for residents setting a quit date, with 843 individuals supported. This success is attributed to a comprehensive strategy including communications, enforcement, and expanded support services. However, the report highlighted the increasing challenge of engaging those least ready to quit and the need for significant increases in quit attempts to meet the 2030 target, noting that current funding levels may be insufficient.

JSNA Deep Dive: Carers' Health Needs in Barking and Dagenham

Jo Broadbent, Interim Consultant in Public Health, presented a deep dive into the health needs of informal carers. The assessment revealed that while many carers in Barking and Dagenham report positive experiences, a significant number face emotional, social, and financial challenges. Key areas for improvement include general health and wellbeing support, financial assistance, recognition of the carer role, and enhancing awareness of available support. The report recommended a Think Family approach and improved data linkage. The Health and Wellbeing Board and ICB Sub-Committee were asked to agree the publication of the Carers' Health Needs Assessment.