Forum Central is a collective voice for the health and care third sector. We work to make sure our sector is involved and has influence in the overall strategic planning for health and care in Leeds.
We showcase the activities of the third sector by helping others understand the impact and breadth of the sector and highlight how the sector can contribute to new health and care developments.
Integrated care systems
Integrated care is about giving people the support they need, joined up across local councils, the NHS, and other health and care partners.
Integrated care systems (ICSs) are partnerships between the organisations that meet health and care needs across an area, to coordinate services and to plan in a way that improves population health and reduces inequalities between different groups.
Integrated care systems (ICSs) are geographically based partnerships that bring together providers and commissioners of NHS services with local authorities and other local partners to plan, co-ordinate and commission health and care services. They are part of a fundamental shift in the way the health and care system is organised – away from competition and organisational autonomy and towards collaboration, with health and care organisations working together to integrate services and improve population health. ICSs have been developing for several years – the Health and Care Bill will put them on a statutory footing from 01 July 2022.
The Health and Care Bill contains a series of measures which would formally establish Integrated Care Systems (‘ICS’) and give their governing bodies more responsibilities, empowering them to better join up health and care, improve people’s health and reduce health inequalities.
ICS in West Yorkshire
West Yorkshire Health and Care Partnership deliver strategic decision making about health service priorities. Under the White Paper proposals, on 01 July 2022 they will be the Integrated Care System for West Yorkshire which will be a statutory body.
Place Based Partnerships
A Place Based Partnership (formally known as Integrated Care Partnership or ICP) is being developed in Leeds (Leeds health and care partnership), to enable closer working relationships and practice across the health and care sector. Our Third Sector plays a key role in the development of this and Forum Central is committed to ensuring all of our members know about, and can contribute to, this work.
Proposed legislative changes were outlined in the February 2021 Health and Social Care White Paper that requires all areas in England to have a statutory Integrated Care System that will plan and pay for NHS services. From 01 July 2022, ICSs will become statutory organisations absorbing commissioning functions currently undertaken by Clinical Commissioning Groups and NHS England.
Leeds already has a great track record of working in partnership and by developing a strong set of principles and transparent governance, we will ensure that the Leeds health and care partnership fits well into the developing West Yorkshire Integrated Care System (ICS).
A Leeds health and care partnership committee is now being formed and will be operational by 01 July 2022 and includes a representative from the Third Sector.
Leeds Health and Care Partnership (LHCP) Third Sector reference group
Forum Central members are invited to join our bi-weekly reference group meeting to discuss the impact and progression of this work from a Third Sector perspective. The meetings take place on Wednesdays at 9-10am.
Please email [email protected] if you would like to attend or would like more information on these changes and their likely impact.
Key documents
- ICS and the implications for Leeds Nov 2021
- Forum Central update on the NHS Bill and partnership governance Nov 2021
- Integrated care systems: how will they work under the Health and Care Bill?, Kings Fund, Oct 2021
- ICS Third Sector checklist – development group notes, Oct 2021
- NHS ICS implementation guidance on partnerships with the Third Sector, Sep 2021
- NHS England Key documents for Integrated Care Systems
- ICP Development Programme Paper
- Third Sector understanding and engagement with Integrated Health and Care Systems in Leeds Presented by Forum Central, Apr 2021
- Forum Central update on health changes An overview of the proposed health reform and the Third Sector’s role in it, Apr 2021.
- Developing an Integrated Care Partnership in Leeds Outlines the proposals for development of an ICP in Leeds, Apr 2021.
- Health and Social Care White Paper Outlines proposed legislative changes to the health and care system, Feb 2021.
- Health and Social Care White Paper Easy Read Easy read description of the proposed changes, Feb 2021.
Inclusion Group
The Inclusion Working Group, established in 2020, provides a safe and inclusive leadership forum for members to consider, influence and embed inclusion best practice in decision making in their own organisations as well as the wider health & social care sector/system of Leeds.
The work of the Inclusion group is underpinned by the principles and spirit of the Black Lives Matter campaign which recognises the historical, current and ongoing structural inequalities impacting on black, minority ethnic and other protected characteristic groups/communities.
The group aims to meet 6 times a year to share information and best practice relating to inclusion. We will have set topics for each meeting, invite key speakers and encourage members to attend and share.
For more details see here.
Joining the network
We welcome new members to join us, ensuring that we fully represent our diverse sector. Contact [email protected] to join the group and access the meeting Zoom link.
Next meeting date: Wednesday 13th April, 1:30pm – 3.30pm
Previous meeting notes:
Leeds Health and Care One Workforce
Leeds Health and Care One Workforce is a ground-breaking collaboration of Leeds health, care and university partners to create a single, joined up approach for the health and care workforce in the city.

There is an estimated 57,000 people currently employed across Leeds health and care services. This work joins up best practise from across the sector so we learn and work together as one city-wide team. #TeamLeeds
Visit the Leeds Health and Care Academy to learn more about the strategic workforce priorities for Leeds.
Information & Resources
Key health and care documents
NHS Long-Term Plan
The NHS Long Term Plan was developed in partnership with those who know the NHS best – frontline health and care staff, patients and their families and other expertsLeeds Health and Wellbeing Strategy (pdf)
A vision for how Leeds wants people to experience good and fulfilling lives in Leeds, from birth to end of life.
Exploring the Third Sector Health and Social Care Offer in Leeds (pdf)
A paper published by Forum Central providing a wide range of examples of third sector health and care services | March 2017- Reducing the Need for Acute Care: The Third Sector in Leeds (pdf)
A 2017 paper published by Forum Central providing examples of third sector services having an impact on the need for acute care
Tackling health inequalities toolkit
A toolkit developed by the Tackling Health Inequalities Group to help us tackle health inequalities in everything we do.
Other information
- Leeds Open Online Platform (LOOP) Presentation
- CCG Framework on Health Inequalities
- Forum Central Update for Health and Care Leaders Network June 2020
- H&C Leaders Briefing LCPs – Sept 2019
- PCN and LCP footprints
- Third Sector Health and Care Leaders presentation Sept 19
- Q&A’s Third Sector Health and Care Leaders Network 05.09.19
- Table Discussion Notes – Health and Care Leaders Network 05.09.19
- Healthwatch Leeds
Healthwatch Leeds helps people get the best out of their local health and care services by bringing their voice to those who plan and deliver services in Leeds. - Leeds City Council | Adult Social Care
Information about the local authority provision for Adults and Health. - Local Care Partnerships
Local Care Partnership (LCP) is a model of joined-up team working intended to improve health and care delivery to local people.
- Doing Good Leeds
Doing Good Leeds is the website for the third sector in Leeds managed by Voluntary Action Leeds. West Yorkshire & Harrogate Health and Care Partnership
WYHCP is an ‘Integrated Care System’ that works in partnership with NHS organisations, councils, Healthwatch and the Third Sector to improve the health and wellbeing of local people.
Leeds and York NHS Partnership Foundation Trust
LYPFT provides specialist mental health and learning disability services in Leeds.Advonet
Advonet provides and supports advocacy in Leeds. Their ambition is to ensure everyone gets their needs heard and rights respected.Leeds Autism AIM
Leeds Autism AIM is a free service for autistic adults in Leeds.
Contact us
0113 242 1321 | [email protected] | @MyForumCentral