What is Place-based Working in Health and Social Care?

Place-based working is an approach in health and social care where services and decision-making are organised within a specific geographical area, known as the ‘place’. It focuses on bringing together health bodies, social care providers, local authorities, voluntary organisations and community groups to design and deliver services that meet the needs of local people.

Rather than applying a single national model across all regions, place-based working allows each area to respond in a way that takes into account the unique characteristics of its population, environment, and resources. The idea is that services for a town, city, borough, or county should be shaped and delivered in a more connected and community-focused way.

In the UK, this approach became more prominent through the NHS reforms and Integrated Care Systems (ICSs). Within an ICS, each ‘place’ usually covers local authority boundaries and brings partners together to plan health and social care improvements based on the population’s needs.

Why Place-based Working Matters

Place-based working matters because people in different areas often face different health and social care challenges. For example, one area might have a large older population with higher rates of chronic illness, while another may face more pressure from housing issues or unemployment. Services that are coordinated at a local level can be more responsive to these variations.

This approach encourages collaboration between many parties, focusing on improving outcomes and making better use of resources. It also supports prevention, early intervention, and the idea of care closer to home.

Key Features of Place-based Working

There are several defining features of place-based working within the UK health and social care system:

• Local partnership: NHS organisations, councils, and voluntary groups working together rather than separately
• Shared decision-making: Joint plans and priorities that reflect local needs rather than national targets alone
• Focus on community: Services designed to be accessible, relevant, and tailored to groups within the place
• Integration: Bringing health and social care activities together so that patients and service users experience fewer gaps in support
• Prevention: Using data and community feedback to identify risks and act early to improve health outcomes

The Structure of Place-based Working

In an Integrated Care System, the place level sits between the system-wide level (covering large regions) and the very local neighbourhood level. Each place usually has a health and care partnership board that meets regularly. This board includes leaders from the NHS, the local council, voluntary organisations, patient representatives and sometimes education or housing bodies.

The board sets local priorities, such as improving mental health services, reducing health inequalities, increasing access to GP appointments, or supporting carers. Plans from the place level feed into the wider ICS strategy but retain a strong local focus.

Benefits of Place-based Working

Place-based working offers several benefits when implemented well:

• Better coordination: Health and social care teams can share information and work together on complex cases
• More responsive planning: Services can adapt to changes in local needs, such as population growth or emerging health risks
• Improved relationships: Local partners learn about each other’s roles and build trust, which helps in delivering joint projects
• Reduced duplication: By working together, organisations avoid repeating the same tasks and can direct funding to areas of greatest need
• Stronger community links: Residents are more likely to engage with services that feel part of their area

Examples of Place-based Working in Practice

An example might be a place partnership setting up an integrated community health and social care team for older people. This team could include district nurses, social workers, physiotherapists, and housing officers. By sharing information and meeting regularly, the team delivers better-connected care, reduces unnecessary hospital visits, and supports people to remain independent at home.

Another example could involve tackling high rates of childhood obesity in a specific borough. The place partnership might run joint programmes in schools, provide advice through GP practices, and work with local leisure centres to increase affordable sport options.

Role of Data and Evidence

Data plays a major part in place-based working. Local health data, surveys, and feedback from service users help boards understand current needs. Data might show high demand for mental health services among young people, low rates of cancer screening in certain wards, or an increase in emergency housing requests.

Using this information, partners can target interventions more effectively. They can also track whether changes deliver the results they expect.

Challenges in Place-based Working

While place-based working offers many positives, it is not without its challenges. Different organisations can have their own priorities, funding pressures, and ways of working. Building alignment may take time. There can be differences in culture and processes between health and social care teams. Information sharing is another area that needs careful attention, both for accuracy and for data protection.

Funding arrangements can also present issues. Money may be allocated at system level, and place leaders must work together to make the case for their area’s requirements.

The Role of Communities

Communities are central to place-based working. People who live in the area often know best what will improve their health and wellbeing. By involving residents in planning, services can be designed to be more effective and inclusive.

Community involvement can happen through public meetings, patient groups, and outreach programmes. Voluntary and faith-based organisations often help reach groups who might not engage with formal health and care structures.

How Place-based Working Links to National Policy

Place-based working is supported by NHS England and the Department of Health and Social Care as part of the broader aim to integrate health and social care. It fits within legislation such as the Health and Care Act 2022, which established Integrated Care Boards and Partnerships.

Local systems are encouraged to reduce health inequalities, improve prevention, and provide more joined-up services. Place structures are one of the main ways this happens.

Skills and Behaviours that Support Place-based Working

To make place-based working effective, people need certain skills and behaviours, including:

• Communication: Clear, open conversation between partners
• Collaboration: Willingness to work together and share credit for successes
• Problem-solving: Finding practical ways to meet local challenges
• Respect: Valuing the contributions of different partners
• Flexibility: Adapting plans when circumstances change

Measuring Success

Success in place-based working can be measured in several ways:

• Health outcomes: Reduced hospital admissions, improved recovery rates, better screening uptake
• Service experience: Feedback from patients and service users indicating better satisfaction
• Efficiency: Savings from reduced duplication or avoiding unnecessary services
• Equality: Narrowing gaps between different communities in access to and outcomes from care

Monitoring is ongoing, with results reviewed by the place board and reported into the wider ICS structure.

Future of Place-based Working

Place-based working is likely to grow stronger as integrated care becomes more established. More services will operate jointly, and decision-making authority will shift closer to local areas. Digital tools may help places share information quickly, and ongoing community involvement will shape priorities over time.

It will rely on continued partnership, clear communication, trust-building, and the commitment of all organisations involved.

Final Thoughts

Place-based working in UK health and social care is about organising services at the level of local communities, bringing together health, social care, voluntary, and other partners to plan and deliver care that matches the specific needs of the area. It aims to make services more joined up, more responsive, and more connected to the people they serve.

When organisations work together at a place level, they can focus on what matters most to local residents, reduce health inequalities, and make better use of limited resources. Collaboration at this level can lead to real improvements in health, independence, and quality of life for people across the UK.