How we are working in Dorset to embed the Voluntary and Community sector (VCS) as equal partners within the Integrated Care System (ICS)

There is a national expectation that Integrated Care Partnerships and the ICS NHS body will develop a formal agreement for engaging and embedding the VCSE sector in system level governance and decision-making arrangements, ideally by working through a VCSE ‘alliance’ to reflect the diversity of the sector.  These arrangements should build on the involvement of VCSE partners in relevant forums at place and neighbourhood level. (Source: ICS Design Framework pp 28-29 - due date 1st July 2022),

Everyone in Dorset deserves to live well. That’s why NHS organisations, councils, public services and voluntary and community partners are working together as an integrated health and care system.

We are joining up to tackle all the things that affect our health and wellbeing, make real change, and improve things for our communities. The VCS has much to contribute within the ICS – working together with people and communities to stay safe, happy and well. We can influence strategy, and through partnership working develop service provision to support communities to build resilience and independence.

To make this all happen we are working across Dorset (BCP Council and Dorset Council areas) to ensure the VCS is a valued partner within the ICS, developing strong links and supporting active partnerships with our communities to improve health and wellbeing.

CAN and #HelpAndKindness have developed a new model based on the engagement with the VCSE/ICS Stakeholder Group, the ICS/VCSE Task and Finish Group, and extensive wider consultation with VCS networks, groups and organisations of all kinds and sizes throughout this process. #HelpAndKindness and CAN have also discussed the ideas with local authority and health colleagues in DC and BCP. This dynamic model can be flexed and adapted to meet the changing needs of our community and the ICS.

This model was presented to the ICS leadership team in April and was ratified as an acceptable approach. We are now working with the engagement group to complete the Governance elements of the model (Terms of Reference, Governance Team composition and operation) and anticipate that it will be circulated more widely for feedback from the VCS in early June for it to be formally ratified ahead of the 1^st July deadline. The TOR and Governance processes will identify an acceptable approval process to formally launch the new model.

This approach builds firmly on the work done so far, and will create an accountable, representative, and practical model and mechanism for managing the engagement and representation of the VCS within the wider ICS network.

In addition to this we have also been working with the Integrated Care Partnership (ICP) Strategy Group to co-write the Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen and formalise our relationship as an equal partner within the ICS. This will be shared with all partners across the system in early June for feedback ahead of formal ratification for the 1^st July deadline.

We’ll be regularly updating this page with news and developments – so please watch this space!

We are encouraging as many VCS organisations to be part of the process. To get involved please get in touch with Emma Lee, Partnerships Manager, [email protected]

Our work is possible thanks to funding from our partners, Our Dorset.