Planning and Scoping Partners in Care & Health Continuous Improvement Programme

To undertake a scoping, mapping, and review of approaches of key elements of the PCH Continuous Improvement programme to inform the programme in 2027-28 and 2028-29.

This project is funded in whole or in part by grant funding provided by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) to the Improvement and Development Agency for Local Government (IDeA).

The award of this contract and any payments under it are conditional upon IDeA maintaining in force a Grant Funding Agreement with DHSC covering the relevant Funding Period.

In the event that:

• the Grant Funding Agreement is not executed,

• funding is reduced, withheld, suspended, or terminated, or

• IDeA is required by DHSC to vary or terminate delivery of the relevant Funded Activities.

IDeA reserves the right to vary, suspend or terminate this contract on written notice without liability beyond payment for services properly delivered up to the date of termination.

By submitting the bid, the Supplier acknowledges that this project forms part of the Funded Activities delivered under a Grant Funding Agreement between IDeA and DHSC. The Supplier must familiarise themselves with the special conditions attached to the Purchase Order Terms and Conditions for the delivery of the work

The IDeA as Partners in Care and Health (PCH) helps councils to improve the way they deliver adult social care and public health services and helps Government understand the challenges faced by the sector. The programme is a trusted network for developing and sharing best practice, developing tools and techniques, providing support, and building connections. It is offered to councils without charge.

As referenced above the LGA / IDeA were awarded a 3-year grant, for the period April 2026 to March 2029, from DHSC to provide continuous improvement support to councils in England with Adult Social Care responsibilities. The programme comprises the following elements

• Care and Health and Improvement Advisers (CHIAs) – 0.5 FTE for each of nine Regions

• Research, data and intelligence

• Support to Councils rated ‘Requires Improvement’ and Inadequate’ post CQC assessment

• Continuous Improvement programme, comprising the following elements:

• Leadership

o CQC assurance

o Local Government Reorganisation

o Finance & resources

o Digital

o Elected member support

• Working with People

o Working age adults

o Co-production & care equity

o Mental Health

o Professional practice

o Safeguarding

o Unpaid carers

• Providing Support

o Market oversight and intelligence

o Commissioning

o Housing

o Workforce

The prospectus for the 2026-27 can be found here Improvement and support offer 2026/27 - prospectus | Local Government Association

The review to be commissioned covers the scoping and planning for the continuous improvement elements of this programme.