NHS publishes guidance for executive lead roles in ICBs

The NHS recently published guidance on key roles within Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) that have direct relevance to the work of parent carer forums.

You can find the document here: NHS England » Executive lead roles within integrated care boards

The purpose of these roles is to ensure that the core responsibilities of ICBs when it comes to vulnerable groups are championed, have visibility at board level and are considered in all aspects of ICB planning and delivery.

Parent carer forums should ensure that they know who their executive lead is for each area and we would recommend that they seek to meet with them and understand how they plan to approach their role and how parent carer forums will be involved.

The following framework was published on 23/05/23

NHS England » A framework for addressing practical barriers to integration of VCSE organisations in integrated care systems

For more information on the set up of ICBs and how parent carer forums can work with them, see our webinars on the topic: What can SEND families and parent carer forums expect from Integrated Care Boards – YouTube

Each ICB must appoint an executive lead, at board level for each of the following areas. Some specific responsibilities are highlighted below but for the full list see the guidance:

• Children and young people aged 0 to 25 (CYP)
  • Championing coproduction
  • How the needs of children and young people will be me in the ICB joint forward plan
  • Overview of the quality of services for CYP
  • Ensuring appropriate resources are allocated to CYP services
• Children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND)
  • Supporting local area SEND inspections
  • Supporting Designated Clinical and Medical Officers (DCO / DMO)
  • Effective coproduction and engagement
• Safeguarding (all-age), including looked after children
• Learning disability and autism (all-age).
• Down syndrome (all-age).

Many of these roles were implemented as a result of work by the NNPCF and others to make changes to the 2022 Health and Care Act (see links below)

Lords concludes examination of Health and Care Bill – National Network of Parent Carer Forums C.I.C (nnpcf.org.uk)

 Putting Children and Young People with SEND at the Heart of the Health and Care Bill – National Network of Parent Carer Forums C.I.C (nnpcf.org.uk)