The Health and Wellbeing Board met on Wednesday 18 March 2026 to discuss a range of critical issues impacting the health and wellbeing of Croydon's residents. Key decisions included noting the progress of the Better Care Fund submission, endorsing the Director of Public Health's annual report, and agreeing to continue developing the Neighbourhood Health and Care model. The Board also received updates on strategies for supporting children and young people, including the delivery of the joint local health and wellbeing strategy, the family hub model, and the infant feeding and parental mental health strategies.

Delivery of the Joint Local Health and Wellbeing Strategy: Supporting Children, Young People and Families

Good Level of Development (GLD)

The Board received an update on Croydon's progress towards the national target of 75% of children achieving a Good Level of Development (GLD) by the end of their reception year, with Croydon's specific target set at 78.3%. While Croydon is currently at 70.4%, progress has been around 1% per year, which is considered good but not fast enough to meet the 2028 target without further systemic change. Analysis revealed significant variations in GLD outcomes across Croydon's wards, with Old Coulsdon and Selhurst showing the lowest percentages. The data also indicated that schools are performing well in supporting children from disadvantaged backgrounds, suggesting that effective practices are in place. The strategy will focus on five key areas: speech and language delays, personal independence, SEND needs, social-emotional development, and support for those with English as an additional language. The programme has secured three years of funding until March 2029, with the GLD target to be achieved by 2028.

Family Hubs Model and Children's Centres

The Board noted the proposed Family Hubs model, which will expand the age range from 0-5 to 0-19 (or 25 with SEND). This model will operate on a hub-and-spoke system with three main Family Hubs and additional outreach and information hubs located in libraries and other community venues. This approach aims to improve accessibility and reach families where they are, rather than relying solely on families coming to a central building. The council has received £6.2 million in grant funding from the Department for Education and the Department for Health and Social Care to support this development until March 2029. Consultation feedback indicated strong support for the expanded age range, with an emphasis on protecting early years provision and ensuring accessibility across the borough. The Clock Tower campus is being explored as a potential location for the third main Family Hub.

Infant Feeding Strategy and Parental Mental Health Strategy

The Board noted the Infant Feeding Strategy 2024-2029 and the Parental Mental Health Strategy 2024-2029, which have been approved by the Executive Mayor and launched with partners. These strategies aim to improve infant feeding outcomes, reduce health inequalities, and enhance access to parental mental health support, particularly for underserved groups. The Infant Feeding Strategy focuses on four themes: Parents, Prepared, Partnerships, and Places, while the Parental Mental Health Strategy centres on 'Feel Heard', 'Find Help', and 'Flourish'. Both strategies have been co-produced with parents and professionals and align with national and local priorities, including the Mayor's Business Plan. The implementation will be overseen by the Family Hubs Joint Oversight Board.

Croydon Health and Wellbeing Survey for School-Age Children and Young People (2024/25)

The Board received an update on the second iteration of this biannual survey, which saw an increase in participation from schools. The survey, conducted anonymously online with students in Years 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12, revealed a mixed picture of wellbeing. Positively, students reported increased wellbeing, with 85% stating good general health and 74% happy with their body image. Exercise rates also increased. However, concerns were raised regarding diet, sleep, bullying (with how I look cited as the main reason), discrimination (particularly related to race, skin colour, and place of birth), and sexual health confidence. The survey also highlighted that 13.8% of secondary school pupils felt their family struggled with finances. The findings are being used to inform targeted support initiatives, including improving self-esteem for Key Stage 3 girls, addressing bullying and discrimination, and enhancing confidence in discussing sexual health. Further engagement with young people and co-production of solutions are planned.

Voluntary, Community and Faith Sector (VCFS) Update - Children and Young People Focus

Sarah Burns, Chief Executive of Croydon Voluntary Action, and Alicia Blackford from Reaching Higher presented an update on the vital role of the VCFS sector in supporting children and young people's health and wellbeing. They highlighted the strength of the Croydon Youth Consortium, a partnership of 52 organisations, which has received national recognition for its collaborative approach. Key programmes discussed included the My Ends programme, focused on reducing youth violence, and the Youth Innovation Fund, which supports pilot projects. The development of youth hubs and a new partnership with South London and Maudsley for non-clinical mental health support for 15-19 year olds were also detailed. The recommendations included formalising partnership working, integrating VCFS providers into commissioning, co-designing youth provision, supporting youth hub expansion, developing shared training, and investing in the Croydon Youth Consortium.

Better Care Fund 2025-2026 Quarter 3 Submission

Paul Connolly reported that Croydon is on track to meet all its Better Care Fund targets for the year, with 71% of the total fund spent by Quarter 3. This expenditure is in line with plans to address winter pressures. The Board was asked to ratify the Quarter 3 submission to NHS England, which was subsequently agreed. Matthew Kershaw, Chief Executive at Croydon Health Services, noted the strong collaboration between partners in managing the fund effectively.

Director of Public Health Annual Report

Ruth Hutchinson, Director of Public Health, presented the annual report, themed Health is Everybody's Business. The report advocates for a Health in All Policies (HiAP) approach, emphasizing that health is influenced by decisions made across all sectors, not just healthcare. The report makes four key recommendations: adopting a formal HiAP framework for council decision-making, establishing a central HiAP resource hub, strengthening the use of council levers (procurement, licensing, planning) to improve health, and embedding HiAP principles within the One Croydon Alliance to act as an anchor system for population health. The Board was asked to note the report and support its principles.

Health and Wellbeing Annual Report 2025

The Board noted the Health and Wellbeing Annual Report for 2025, which summarised the Board's statutory functions and activities, including progress on the Better Care Fund, the Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment, and the Joint Strategic Needs Assessment. The report highlighted the mobilisation of the Joint Local Health and Wellbeing Strategy through priority subgroups and outlined key activities and future actions aimed at reducing health inequalities, improving access to services, and adopting a community-centred approach. The Board agreed to note the report and recommend it for presentation to Full Council.

Neighbourhood Health and Care: National Neighbourhood Health Implementation Programme (NNHIP) and planning for 2026/27

Rachel Flagg and Matthew Kershaw provided an update on Croydon's participation in the National Neighbourhood Health Implementation Programme. They explained that Croydon Health Services NHS Trust has been nominated as the Host Organisation for Neighbourhood Health and Care, responsible for coordinating delivery and managing budgets, with decision-making remaining a collective Alliance effort. The programme is in a test-and-learn phase, building on existing foundations of joined-up working. The national framework has been published, emphasizing a wider approach to neighbourhood health, including the role of the public sector and the voluntary and community sector, and the importance of involving children and young people. The Board noted the progress and endorsed the nomination of Croydon Health Services as the Host Organisation.

Health and Wellbeing Board Forward Plan

The Board reviewed its forward plan, noting that the next meeting in July would focus on Ageing and Dying Well, with subsequent updates on the Better Care Fund, Health Protection Assurance Framework, and the anti-racism work programme.

The meeting concluded with Councillor Yvette Hopley, Chair of the Health and Wellbeing Board, thanking officers, partners, and members for their contributions, highlighting the significant progress made by the Board during her term of office.

Decisions Made:

• Better Care Fund 2025-2026 Quarter 3 Submission: Ratified.
• Director of Public Health Annual Report 2025/26: Noted.
• Health and Wellbeing Annual Report 2025: Noted, and recommended for presentation to Full Council.
• Neighbourhood Health and Care: Noted progress and endorsed the nomination of Croydon Health Services NHS Trust as the Host Organisation.
• Infant Feeding Strategy 2024-2029 and Parental Mental Health Strategy 2024-2029: Noted.
• Croydon Health and Wellbeing Survey for School-Age Children and Young People (2024/25): Noted the report and endorsed the approach being taken.
• Voluntary, Community and Faith Sector (VCFS) Update - Children and Young People Focus: Noted the update and agreed to formalise partnership working, integrate VCFS providers into commissioning, co-design youth provision, support the expansion of youth hubs, develop shared training, and recognise and invest in the Croydon Youth Consortium.
• Good Level of Development (GLD) update: Noted.
• Family Hubs Model and Children Centres: Noted.