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We have published a new briefing analysing the government’s Neighbourhood Health Framework, highlighting both the opportunities and risks for the VCFSE sector at a critical moment for health reform.
The framework, published on 17 March 2026 by the Department of Health and Social Care and NHS England, sets out plans to shift care closer to communities, with services organised at neighbourhood level and a stronger focus on prevention.
Our briefing explores what this means in practice and why the next 12 months will be crucial in determining how, and whether, the VCFSE sector is embedded within the new system.
The Neighbourhood Health Framework represents one of the most significant policy shifts for our sector in recent years.
It introduces new models of care, including Neighbourhood Health Centres and Integrated Neighbourhood Teams, and gives local systems flexibility to design how services are delivered.
While the VCFSE sector is explicitly named as a potential delivery partner, there is no requirement for how this should happen locally. This creates a clear opportunity but also a real risk.
Warren Escadale, chief executive of VSNW, said: “This is one of the most important policy developments for our sector in years. The VCFSE sector is recognised as a partner in “neighbourhood health, and that is a major step forward.
“But inclusion will not happen automatically. The key decisions about how neighbourhood health is designed and delivered are happening now. If we are not involved at this stage, we risk being brought in too late to shape it in a meaningful way.”
The briefing sets out a number of opportunities for the sector, including new partnership models, stronger policy backing for co-design through the Civil Society Covenant, and potential access to investment through the Office for the Impact Economy.
However, there are also clear risks.
These include VCFSE organisations being excluded from Integrated Neighbourhood Team design, funding flows not reaching the sector, and key decisions about Neighbourhood Health Centre locations being made before co-location opportunities are explored.
We are encouraging organisations across the North West and beyond to engage now with Integrated Care Boards, Primary Care Networks and local authorities.
The briefing sets out practical steps the sector can take, including securing representation, influencing local design, and using the Civil Society Covenant to push for genuine co-design rather than consultation.
Our full briefing provides detailed analysis of the framework, what it means for the VCFSE sector, and the actions needed at local, regional and national level.
