Phil Hope, former minister of state for care services and Health Devolution Commissioner, and Steve Barwick, Health Devolution Commission director and secretariat, say shared outcomes and an integrated policy framework could improve the health and wellbeing of young people

‘Shared Outcomes’ are at the heart of the Government’s Integration White Paper and will be a key driver for all Integrated Care Systems (ICSs).

Although children’s services are technically outside its scope, the Paper says ‘places are encouraged to consider the integration between and within children and adult health and care services wherever possible’.

The Health Devolution Commission, supported by Barnardo’s as well as the Local Government Association (LGA), NHS Confederation and others, is planning to support ICSs to rise to this challenge.

It believes the creation of shared outcomes – as required following recent and very welcome amendments to the Health and Care Bill passed in the Lords – to improve the health and wellbeing of children and young people, supported by a robust, integrated children’s policy framework, would be a massive step forward.