Practical approach: Neighbourhood-based block-pay

Explore a practical toolkit showing how a neighbourhood prime provider model in home care improved workforce stability, staff retention and outcomes for people drawing on care and support.

For leaders and managers in home care providers and for commissioners.

Home care provider Be Caring worked in partnership with commissioners to successfully develop and implement a neighbourhood prime provider model which improved workforce stability and retention and achieved better outcomes for those who draw on care and support.

Our practical approach toolkit shows how a pioneering new approach to homecare delivered high-quality care and retained staff.

What this toolkit can help you achieve

• Neighbourhood‑based care increases continuity and maximises time spent on meaningful support rather than travel.
• Block‑shift pay boosts financial security, morale and retention.
• Strong digital systems underpin effective planning and outcomes‑focused practice.
• Values‑led recruitment and structured induction help build a confident, capable workforce.

Quick start

• Providers - watch a short video highlighting the key points of the toolkit.

• Commissioners - watch short video highlighting the key points of the toolkit.
• Overview - explore the toolkit offer, overarching lessons and key takeaways.
  
  

Explore the toolkit at your own pace

Explore the toolkit step-by-step, or go straight to the sections most relevant to you. Each section includes practical recommendations to support you in applying the approach in practice.

Go straight to the sections

• Planning and preparing
  Explore Be Caring’s transformation journey, detailing the need for change, strategic objectives, risk management, infrastructure upgrades and key individuals. Explore the recommendations for providers or commissioners.
• Digital and technology
  Be Caring struggled with duplicated data entry, paper-based care plans and limited mobile access. They delivered training to address inefficiencies. Explore the recommendations for providers or commissioners.
• NBBP - Financing and investment
  Explore how providers can plan investment, unlock efficiencysavings and ensure long-term affordability. Explore the recommendations for providers or commissioners.

• Involving key stakeholders
  Identify and understand key stakeholders, ensuring their needs shape service design and relationships inform continuous improvement. Explore the recommendations for providers or commissioners.

• Governance and implementation
  Implement change through clear roles, responsive planning,transparent governance and performance tracking. Explore the recommendations for providers or commissioners.

• Workforce
  Attract, develop and retain a skilled care workforce through, personalised induction, local knowledge, ongoing support and meaningful roles. Explore the recommendations for providers or commissioners. 

• Pilot, refinement and embedding
  Testing and improving the neighbourhood prime provider model through structured piloting, learning and system refinement. Explore the recommendations for providers or commissioners.

• Outcomes, impact and learning
  Explore the outcomes, impact and learning from Be Caring’s care model transformation. Explore the recommendations for providers or commissioners.

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