Building Better Beginnings: Early Years Work in Northwest London Highlighted Nationally in NHS Providers Report

National spotlight on ARC NWL’s integrated approach to improving early years health 

We’re delighted that work led by our Child Population Health theme has been highlighted nationally in the latest report from NHS Providers, “Putting Young People at the Heart of Care.”

The report showcases how Integrated Care Systems (ICSs) work to improve outcomes for children, young people, and families. Among the featured case studies is our evaluation of early years integrated care pilots in Harrow, Brent and Ealing, which aimed to improve support for families with children aged 0–5 through more joined-up, community-based models of care.

Delivered in partnership with Northwest London ICB, Imperial College London, and local authorities, voluntary organisations, and NHS Trust partners, the pilots built on the region’s existing GP Child Health Hubs (CHHs) and introduced:

• Case finding and population health management

• Community connectors

• Innovation funds and co-production

• Integrated Neighbourhood Teams (INTs)

The evaluation, led by Professor Mitch Blair alongside a team of researchers from Imperial’s School of Public Health, highlighted the importance of hyperlocal, preventative models that build trust and respond to the real-life challenges families face in the early years.

“It takes time to build trust, but when families feel heard, the outcomes speak for themselves.” – Professor Mitch Blair, Lead Evaluator

The work also resulted in a new Early Years Toolkit, designed to support the wider adoption of these models across other ICS areas.

📘 Read the NHS Providers report ¦ 📄 Read the full evaluation report