The Integrated Meeting of Waltham Forest Health & Wellbeing and Health & Care Partnership Boards was scheduled to discuss a range of significant health and wellbeing strategies and updates. Key topics included the development of the Better Care Fund (BCF) Annual Plan for 2026/27, an update on the mental health of Black boys and young men, and the adoption of a new Long Term Conditions Strategy alongside the NEL outcomes framework. The meeting also planned to review progress on the Promoting Wellbeing Workstream, which encompasses updates on priority areas, joint system workshop findings, and housing and health initiatives.

Better Care Fund Annual Plan 2026/27

The meeting was scheduled to consider the Better Care Fund (BCF) Annual Plan for 2026/27. This plan is part of a broader initiative to integrate health and social care funding, aiming to improve outcomes for residents and support financial recovery across the North East London (NEL) area. The BCF, set to be renamed the Integrated Care Funding Framework (ICFF), will involve developing strategic priorities through workshops. Known requirements for 2026/27 include understanding minimum contributions from the NHS and local authorities, with potential reductions in Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) amounts. National guidance was expected in mid-February, with a submission deadline after the local elections. A review of the NEL BCF highlighted that while it is not always an effective strategic commissioning tool due to funding being tied up in block contracts, Waltham Forest has been noted for efforts to align spend with strategic ambition. Specific findings for Waltham Forest included the lowest proportion of social care investment from the NHS minimum contribution and the highest BCF spend on mental health and learning disabilities. The review also identified ongoing community equipment budget pressures. The development of priorities for 2026/27 will align with neighbourhood health plans and involve further stakeholder workshops.

Waltham Forest Long Term Conditions Strategy and NEL Outcomes Framework

A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to the Waltham Forest Long Term Conditions (LTC) Strategy and the North East London (NEL) Outcomes Framework. Approximately 97,000 residents in Waltham Forest have a diagnosed LTC, with over 40,000 managing multiple conditions. The strategy aims to address health inequalities and improve outcomes by focusing on prevention and early detection, improved treatment and management, pathway development and integration, and proactive care and self-management. Key priority conditions include chronic respiratory diseases (asthma, COPD), cardiometabolic conditions (diabetes, hypertension, chronic kidney disease), and comorbidities. The strategy acknowledges the impact of wider determinants of health, such as deprivation, air quality, and ethnic background, on LTC prevalence and management.

The draft NEL LTC Outcomes Framework is designed to deliver a consistent, outcomes-driven model of care to enable residents to live longer, healthier lives, improve population health, and reduce inequalities. The framework will be applied to a service specification for the NEL LTC Proactive Care Service. The meeting was asked to endorse the Waltham Forest LTC Strategy, provide steer on the delivery of the NEL LTC Outcomes Framework locally, and support future engagement plans. Partners were also asked to nominate lead collaborators and support the agreement of accountability mechanisms for the strategy's delivery.

Update on the Promoting Wellbeing Workstream

The Promoting Wellbeing Workstream aims to advance preventative approaches and reduce health inequalities through collaboration between the local authority, NHS, and voluntary and community sector (VCS) partners. The meeting was scheduled to receive updates on five priority areas:

• Strengthening the partnership with the VCS and faith groups: This has involved transitioning the VCS Leadership Group to the Waltham Forest Health & Wellbeing Alliance, which will coordinate VCS involvement in neighbourhood delivery and shape place-based approaches. The Long-Term Conditions small grants programme has concluded, supporting nine Black and South Asian-led organisations.
• Borough of Sanctuary (BoS): Progress has been made in strengthening Waltham Forest's commitments, including a joint response to the UK Government's consultation on changes to Earned Settlement rights. Preparations are underway for the borough's City of Sanctuary reaccreditation in 2026. Challenges remain regarding national hostility to migrant populations and local healthcare partner engagement on embedding Safe Surgeries principles.
• Employment and Health: The 'Individual Placement and Support in Primary Care' programme concluded, with focus shifting to the 'Connect to Work' initiative, which has registered over 150 residents. A Supported Employment Network meeting was held to improve coordination and pathway clarity. A key emerging risk is high referral volume with low eligibility, necessitating clearer pathway guidance.
• Housing and Health: A focused discussion explored the relationship between housing and health, considering priority issues such as temporary accommodation, homelessness prevention, and the implementation of Awaab's Law. Opportunities for closer collaboration between housing services and the wider health and care system were highlighted.
• Mental Health Promotion: A board has been established to oversee work on the mental health of Black boys and young men, with its first meeting scheduled for 16 April. Work continues in schools, with staff trained in Youth Mental Health First Aid, and the Children and Young People's Mental Health Charter is to be relaunched.

The meeting was also to receive findings from a Joint System Workshop series held in preparation for the development of three neighbourhoods in Waltham Forest, and more detailed updates on the Housing and Health priority area.

Update on the Mental Health of Black Boys and Young Men

The meeting was scheduled to receive an update on the Mental Health of Black Boys and Young Men project. This project aims to improve the mental health and wellbeing of Black boys and young men in Waltham Forest, as well as their aspirations, life opportunities, and educational experiences. The work brings together partners from across the Council, NELFT (North East London NHS Foundation Trust), and the voluntary and community sector. The recruitment of the project's Board was complete, with the first meeting scheduled for 16 April 2026. The report highlighted significant inequalities in mental health outcomes for Black boys and young men, noting higher diagnosed rates of serious mental health issues and greater likelihood of detention under the Mental Health Act compared to other ethnic groups. Despite this, Black residents are less likely to receive mental health support. The project has identified five workstreams: Education and School Exclusions, Support for Parents and Families, Mentoring and Role Models, Access and Quality in Mental Health Services, and Mental Health Promotion and Prevention.

Promoting Wellbeing Workstream: Joint System Workshop Findings

The meeting was scheduled to review findings from a series of Joint System Workshops held in preparation for the development of three neighbourhoods in Waltham Forest. Over 60 organisations participated, including VCS, Council, and NHS partners. Key themes that emerged across the workshops included the need for stronger partnership and trust, concerns about short-term, competitive funding, calls for shared intelligence and feedback loops, opportunities to embed VCS neighbourhood teams, and the importance of equity and inclusion. Participants highlighted the role of the VCS in addressing social determinants and reaching underserved communities, with barriers including funding insecurity and siloed working. The workshops also explored the NHS 10 Year Plan and its implications for Waltham Forest, with participants co-designing prevention interventions based on neighbourhood needs and lived experience.

Promoting Wellbeing Workstream: Housing and Health Updates

Updates were also scheduled on the Housing and Health priority area within the Promoting Wellbeing Workstream. This area focuses on delivering the health and wellbeing-related outcomes of the Waltham Forest Housing Strategy 2024-2029, aiming to prevent homelessness, increase the supply of affordable homes, and improve the quality of existing housing. Key focus areas include the use of temporary accommodation, homelessness prevention, and the implementation of Awaab's Law, alongside wider efforts to address the health impacts of damp and mould. The meeting was to discuss how health system partners can support the prevention of homelessness, manage resident expectations regarding housing options, and support a NEL-wide approach to the health and wellbeing of those in temporary accommodation. Training for frontline health staff on housing issues, including early intervention to prevent homelessness and supporting residents experiencing damp and mould, was also planned.

Other Scheduled Discussions

The agenda also included an update on the BCF Quarterly Report & BCF Plan 2026/27 development, which would have covered the Better Care Fund update and the development of the 2026/27 plan. Additionally, a Population Health Management Update was scheduled, focusing on the establishment, remit, and early work of the Population Health and Data Group. The meeting was also to receive an update on Partnership Development, reviewing progress in developing shared partnership priorities. Finally, an update on the Neighbourhood Health Delivery Model was planned, noting that the national neighbourhood framework was expected and preparations were underway for a board session to review the guidance.