Why integrated working matters for social care

As we launch our ‘Integrated working and social care’ spotlight, our CEO Oonagh Smyth discusses what integrated working means and why it’s important.

Integrated working means different services—like social care, health, housing, and community organisations—working together to support people in a way that’s joined-up and focused on what matters most to them.

I'm really glad that this month we're focusing on helping everyone in social care better understand what integrated working is. We’ll explore how it can make a positive difference for both people working in care and those who draw on support, and highlight the opportunities available right now to help shape how we work together more effectively.

At its heart, integrated working means more person-centred care with people only having to tell their story once to receive the support they need to live their lives how they want.

When services work better together, it reduces gaps and confusion. That’s good for the people receiving care, and also for those providing it.

A big part of integrated working is helping people stay well and live independently at home for longer. This is a key goal in the 10-Year Health Plan, which focuses on three main changes:

• Shifting more care from hospitals into communities
• Using technology more effectively in health and care
• Preventing illness, not just treating it

Neighbourhood Health Services are central to this plan. These services bring together GPs, social workers, nurses, and other professionals to provide care closer to home providing better support for people with complex conditions, keeping them well and avoiding unnecessary hospital trips. There are already 43 test sites across the country trying out this approach.

Social care plays a vital role in making this vision a reality. With its strong focus on prevention, person-centred support, and deep roots in local communities, social care helps people avoid hospital stays, recover well, and live what we call “gloriously ordinary lives.”

Through our convening capacity, data and insight, strategic workforce planning support and workforce advisory function, Skills for Care is helping to shape the neighbourhood agenda both locally through our area teams and nationally through the national implementation programme.

The idea behind neighbourhood health is simple: care should happen locally whenever possible—digitally by default, at home if it can, in a local centre if needed, and only in hospital when absolutely necessary.

Investing in early support through social care saves money too—£3.17 for every £1 spent.

Our spotlight on integrated working will share practical resources, real-life examples, and insights to help build understanding and confidence in this way of working.

It’s an exciting time for social care, and we’re proud to support the sector as it helps shape the future of care.

Discover more on our dedicated spotlight webpage.

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