Better Care Fund Support Programme 2025-26

Commissioned by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) and free to local systems, we provide a range of support approaches to local health and social care systems to improve how they commission and deliver health and care services which is integrated, effective and sustainable.

We have been commissioned for an additional year (April 2025 – March 2026) to focus on targeted support in a select number of health and social care systems, and to provide universal tools for all systems to access. This builds on our learning from the 2023-2025 Better Care Fund Support Programme, which saw us provide support to 46 systems, with support packages provided in all regions.

The BCF Support Programme 2025-2026

Targeted support in Health and Social Care Systems

The Support Programme has been strengthened by an independent external evaluation conducted by IPSOS, commissioned independently by the DHSC, which has added valuable learning.

We have also collaborated with our Government partners on a joint learning and insights report of the 2023-25 programme. We have found that sustained improvement has the best chance of succeeding when system leaders are aligned around a shared purpose, demonstrate collective ownership of the work, and have the supporting infrastructure and governance mechanisms firmly in place.

We know that systems have valued the diagnostic insights and recommendations from short-term improvement support. However, we have learnt that lasting improvement requires support over a longer timeframe. Our experience indicates that systems would benefit most from longer-term support, helping them to not only understand the recommendations but also to develop, implement and embed actionable plans over time.

The 2025-26 BCF Support Programme is refocused on delivering longer-term, more targeted support in a fewer number of systems to ensure there is meaningful and sustainable impact. We consistently adopt the sector-led approach to improvement support – collaborating on bespoke, targeted and universal support with system and sector wide partners to ensure it reflects today’s challenges and meets local needs.

The BCF Support Programme 2025-26: Our knowledge and expertise

1. Whole-system expertise
The Better Care Fund Support Programme has worked across both health and social care sectors for the past two and a half years. This dual perspective allows us to understand the full landscape and deliver integrated, practical support that reflects real-world complexity.
2. Sector-led improvement, not performance management
The BCF Support Programme is sector-led: We work with systems, and don’t impose support on them. This distinction builds trust and encourages openness—system leaders feel safe to share challenges honestly, which is essential for meaningful improvement.
3. Strong track record
We’ve consistently delivered high-quality support, with positive feedback reflected in our end-of-support reports. Our work is known for being impactful, timely, and well-received by system leaders.
4. Agility and responsiveness
Our programme is fleet of foot. We adapt quickly to changing Government policy and can deliver within tight timescales.
5. Established relationships and trust
We already have strong relationships with system leaders across the country. Our non-judgemental approach helps us gain trust quickly, enabling deeper engagement and more sustainable improvement.
6. Tailored, flexible support
While other organisations may offer more standardised packages, our programme tailors its support to local needs. We’re flexible, responsive, and focused on what works for each system.

In summary, the Better Care Programme offers a unique combination of cross-sector experience, trusted relationships, agility, and a proven improvement-focused approach. We’re ready to lead this work and deliver real impact.

Universal Support

In addition to Targeted Support, the BCF Support Programme also provides Universal Support which is accessible to all systems to use as they see fit. This includes self-assessment tools such as our flagship High Impact Change Models, virtual seminars and workshops, or good practice publications.

High Impact Change Model Tools

The BCF Support Programme has developed a number of different High Impact Change Models, to support Health and Social Care systems to identify areas for development and improvement.

Improving the timely and effective discharge of people with dementia and delirium into the community (December 2024)
Using data and intelligence for whole system decision support (June 2025)
Reducing preventable admissions (July 2025)
High Impact Change Model: Optimal Handed Care | Local Government Association
Scaling Up Optimal Handed Care in Local Health and Social Care Systems (December 2025)
Accelerating Flow, Recovery and Productivity Across the Intermediate Care Pathway (In Progress)

Communities of Practice

Community of Practice (CoP) to Scale Up Home-Based Intermediate Care for Winter Surge Readiness and Support Longer Term Sustainability

In 2023, the BCF Support Programme published the business case for Home-Based Intermediate Care which:

Explains the benefits of home-based intermediate care in terms of outcomes for people and system operations and flow.
Identifies the return on investment possible from home-based intermediate care.
Explores best practice from operational and professional delivery lenses.
Helps make the case for investment into improving home-based intermediate care locally and nationally.

Intermediate care, particularly home-based models, are critical for managing winter pressures and long-term system resilience. This is aligned with the 10 Year Health Plan which embodies the new preventative principle including that ‘care should happen locally as it can in a patient’s home if possible’

The BCF Support Programme and its strategic partner, Newton, have therefore established a national, sector-wide Community of Practice (CoP) to accelerate learning, spread best practice and support local system scaling up/optimisation of home-based intermediate care services. The CoP will focus on short-term Winter surge capacity and embedding sustainable, effective models for the future.

Learning Lunch Masterclass Series

The BCF Support Programme holds regular Learning Lunch Masterclasses throughout the year, to showcase best practice examples as well as launch our latest High Impact Change Models.

Throughout the 2023-25 Support Programme, the Learning Lunch Series had a high satisfaction rating from attendees, and strong regional coverage.

Some of our previous topics include:

High Impact Change Model on Dementia and Delirium
Preventive and Proactive Care: Research Report
Embedding single handed care as ‘normal’ practice
Winter Pressures and Discharge to Assess Learning Lunch
From Patient Voice to Co-production

To find out when the next Learning Lunch Masterclass is, head to the LGA events page.

Resources and information

Essential links

Contact us

Rahat Ahmed-Man, Senior Adviser ([email protected])
Rachel Walker, Lead Adviser ([email protected])
Alex Hunter, Senior Research Data Analyst ([email protected])
Sam Quinn, Adviser ([email protected])

Or email the BCF support programme at [email protected]

In this section:

Better Care Fund Programme – Universal Support Tools

The BCF Support Programme produces products and tools around a range of key subjects, to inform and support health and social care systems in their improvement ambitions.

Discharge to recover and then assess

John Bolton is a former director of social services and a former strategic finance director at the Department of Health. For the past decade, John has worked as an independent consultant with health and care systems across the United Kingdom on effective and efficient use of resources, including the most cost-effective way of managing the discharge of older people from hospital. He has been working with the Better Care Fund Support Programme to deliver improvement support to systems.

Better Care Fund Support Programme - blogs

A series of blogs authored by the Better Care Fund Support Programme team and their sector improvement partners and aimed at health and care leads which focus on the challenges and opportunities facing the sector.

"We need to acknowledge capacity and demand is complex"

Gareth Jenkins is a partner at Changeology Group. For the past 15 years, Gareth has worked in health and social care both as an NHS employee and external consultant. Specialising in transformation, change, performance improvement and productivity, he has worked across the UK and Ireland delivering better outcomes for staff and patients. Changeology have been working with the Better Care Fund (BCF) Support Programme to deliver improvement support in systems. This is the first of a two part blog.

"We need to acknowledge capacity and demand are complex" (Part two)

Gareth Jenkins is a partner at Changeology Group. For the past 15 years, Gareth has worked in health and social care both as an NHS employee and external consultant. Changeology have been working with the Better Care Fund (BCF) Support Programme to deliver improvement support in systems. This is the second of a two part blog.

High Impact Change Model: Improving the timely and effective discharge of people with dementia and delirium into the community

This High Impact Change Model (HICM) offers a practical approach to support health and care systems to deliver best practice for an individual’s journey to, during and following discharge from an acute hospital.

High Impact Change Model: using data and intelligence for whole system decision support

The HICM is designed to support local health and social care system leaders to work together to embed and improve data-driven decision making at all levels, resulting in the delivery of better neighbourhood health outcomes.

High Impact Change Model: reducing preventable admissions

This High Impact Change Model is a refresh of the existing Model and focuses on how the NHS and social care need to work together to avoid preventable stays in hospital. The primary focus is to reduce admissions to hospitals by remaining in or returning to the community.

Better Care Fund Support Programme 2023-25: Programme partners joint learning and insights report

The insights and learning contributed not only shaped the outcomes achieved but is informing future efforts to drive improvement across the sector. The collaboration and dedication of colleagues to making a difference is appreciated and has left a lasting impact.

High Impact Change Model: Optimal Handed Care

The High Impact Change Model (HICM) for Optimal Handed Care (OHC) provides a practical framework to embed OHC in different care settings across health and care systems. It aims to ensure that every person receives safe, proportionate, and independence-focused care and support, while reducing workforce strain and maximising system efficiency.

Call for Expressions of Interest from Health and Wellbeing Boards

Important: Call for Expressions of Interest from Health and Wellbeing Boards. Deadline 17 December 2025