The Health and Wellbeing Board met on Thursday 22 January 2026 to discuss key updates on children's services, neighbourhood health initiatives, and the Better Care Fund. Significant discussions focused on improving services for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and Alternative Provision (AP), the development of integrated neighbourhood health teams, and the allocation of funds for the Better Care Fund.

Children and Young People: Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and Alternative Provision (AP)

The Board received a comprehensive update on SEND and AP services in Barnet, highlighting the borough's strong performance in mainstream inclusion and early identification pathways, which are nationally recognised. Despite these strengths, Barnet faces significant national pressures, including rising complexity of need, increased demand for Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs), workforce shortages, and a critical lack of special school places. These pressures are impacting the High Needs Block (HNB) funding, which is projecting an in-year deficit.

Barnet is actively preparing for the upcoming Ofsted and Care Quality Commission (CQC) local area SEND inspection, expected between January 2026 and Spring 2027. The new inspection framework is more rigorous, focusing on the effectiveness of the partnership between education, health, and social care in improving experiences and outcomes for children and young people with SEND. Key areas of discussion included the rising demand for EHCPs, the shortage of special school places, and the challenges in providing timely access to therapies. The report noted that approximately 65% of tribunal appeals relate to therapy provision.

To address these challenges, Barnet is investing in an in-house therapy service to provide representation at tribunals and support schools. The borough is also responding to the national shortage of special school places by planning the rebuild and expansion of Oakleigh and Mapledown schools. The report also detailed the implementation of a three-tier alternative provision model and the development of a dedicated Section 19 officer to manage increased demand for education for children unable to attend school.

The Board was informed about reforms to the notional SEND budget formula and the Early Years SEN Inclusion Fund (SENIF), which aims to ensure timely support for children before a diagnosis. The Change Partnership Programme is also progressing, with initiatives like the Early Language Support for Every Child (ELSEC) programme showing positive results in improving staff confidence and children's communication outcomes. New governance arrangements have been established, including the SEND and AP Executive Partnership Board and the SEND and AP Operational Group, to ensure collaborative and timely decision-making.

The Board was asked to note the report update, the financial position of the High Needs Block, support continued partnership focus on therapies and joint commissioning, acknowledge inspection preparation, and note the progress of the Change Partnership Programme.

Neighbourhood Health in Barnet

The Board received an update on the development of a neighbourhood-based approach to health and care in Barnet, aligning with national ambitions to shift from reactive to proactive, community-focused support. This initiative brings together NHS teams, Barnet Council, voluntary organisations, and residents to better understand local needs and provide coordinated care closer to home. Barnet has already established strong foundations for this work, including existing partnerships and neighbourhood initiatives like the Community Ageing Well Service.

The neighbourhood model is expanding from three to five localities, with strengthened governance and dedicated integrator arrangements involving CLCH and the Barnet GP Federation. Key priorities for the coming year include developing neighbourhood leadership teams, improving data-driven decision-making, and designing new care models for specific patient cohorts, such as high-intensity service users and children with complex needs. The plan also encompasses improving estates, digital infrastructure, and workforce development.

The report highlighted that the NHS 10-Year Health Plan aims to transform the NHS through five key reforms: a new operating model, enhanced transparency, workforce transformation, innovation and technology, and finance and productivity. The NCL Neighbourhood Model is described as person-centred and asset-based, aiming to increase efficacy and improve outcomes by connecting people's lives with the support offered. Integrated Neighbourhood Teams will work alongside existing local networks, with the Local Care Network focusing on proactive care and the Integrated Neighbourhood Team driving the delivery of care.

Progress in Barnet includes the establishment of a Population Health Working Group, the drafting of a Barnet Neighbourhood Outcome Framework, and the development of a Barnet Neighbourhood Dashboard. Integrator arrangements are in place, and recruitment for Neighbourhood Manager posts is underway. The report also detailed the Project Myria initiative, which aims to deliver an integrated and digitally-enabled proactive care model for the top 1-2% of 'risk of high cost' patients, with a trial cohort planned for Barnet.

The Board was asked to note the paper and the update on neighbourhood health in Barnet.

Better Care Fund Plan 2025-2026

The Board was presented with the Barnet Better Care Fund (BCF) Plan for 2025-2026. The BCF aims to support the integration of health and social care to promote person-centred care, sustainability, and better outcomes for individuals and carers. The plan for 2025-26 focuses on supporting the shift from sickness to prevention and enabling people to live independently, reducing hospital admissions and long-term residential care.

Barnet's BCF plan has a total pooled budget of £52,560,193 for 2025/26, covering schemes that support integrated care, manage transfers of care, prevention, and discharge. The plan builds on previous years' work, with a focus on strengthening partnerships and applying learning from existing schemes. Key priorities include proactive care for those with complex needs, the use of home adaptations and technology, and comprehensive support for unpaid carers. The plan also aims to enable timely discharges and prevent avoidable hospital admissions through initiatives like virtual wards and enhanced health in care homes.

The Board was asked to note the Barnet BCF Plan 2025-26 and to note that the plan has been approved by NHS England.

Forward Work Programme

The Board noted the Forward Work Programme, with upcoming deep dives planned on physical activity, smoking and vaping, and culture and health. The Board will also receive biannual performance reports on the Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy and updates on the Barnet Food Plan. Discussions were also held regarding the future structure and function of the Health and Wellbeing Board, following feedback from an LGA peer review, with a view to ensuring the Board remains fit for purpose and effectively addresses changing priorities. The Board also reiterated the importance of having representation from the mental health trust at future meetings.