In March 2022 RCPCH worked as part of the Children & Young People’s Health Policy Influencing Group (HPIG) to secure a greater focus on children and young people in the legislation and supporting guidance that applies to Integrated Care Systems (ICS). The College also led influencing work to secure a specific change that requires all Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) to appoint an Executive Children's Lead.
Today HPIG has launched a new report, that looks at how ICS are putting that guidance into practice and reflecting the needs of babies, children and young people in their strategic planning.
The report, the first of its kind, acknowledges some of the good work developing in the challenging context of increased demand and stretched budgets. It also identifies areas for improvement around:
- Addressing the needs of children with major and long-term conditions, as well as other minority and vulnerable groups
- Clearly identifying leadership and accountability for babies, children and young people
- Integration with children’s social care and education settings
- Engaging with babies, children and young people and setting out how their feedback has been actioned.
The report makes a number of recommendations to UK government and ICS as to how children and young people could be better represented in strategic planning and highlights examples of good practice that are happening across the country. The College is especially interested to reflect on progress to appoint Executive Children's Leads and where systems need to go further.
The RCPCH will continue to advocate for the needs of children and young people to be reflected and prioritised in every ICS across England. To find out how to get involved in this work, please see information on our RCPCH Ambassadors programme.
The Children and Young People’s Health Policy Influencing Group (HPIG) is a group of charities, Royal Colleges and professional associations that advocate to improve the mental and physical health of babies, children and young people by influencing the policy, legislation, and regulation that affects them.