The NHS 10 Year Health Plan, launched in July 2025, sets out a bold vision for transforming healthcare in England. While much of the focus is on the NHS itself and stops short of full social care reform, it still has significant implications for social care providers - especially those delivering services in community settings. Here’s what you need to know, what to watch out for, and how we can help.
Key shifts in the NHS Plan that affect social care
The plan is built around three major shifts:
- From hospitals to communities
Care will increasingly be delivered in neighbourhood settings, with integrated teams including social workers, nurses, and allied professionals. This means social care providers will be expected to play a more central role in delivering preventative and rehabilitative care - From sickness to prevention
There’s a strong emphasis on early intervention and personalised care. By 2027, 95% of people with complex needs should have a co-produced care plan - From analogue to digital
The NHS App will become a central hub for managing care plans, appointments, and prescriptions. Social care providers will need to adapt to digital-first systems, including data sharing and wearable tech integration
Social care providers have a significant role to play in making the plan successful and achieving its key aims. The plan is ambitious and provides a significant amount of opportunity for social care providers however, providers will need sustained investment, the right tools and training and there will need to be a shift in how health and social care organisation work collaboratively. As identified by Care England, it is imperative that the social care sector is a seen as a "strategic partner, not a peripheral stakeholder."
Practical implications and opportunities for social care providers
Integration into neighbourhood health services
The plan introduces a Neighbourhood Health Service model designed to bring together health and social care professionals promoting truly community based care.
- Expect closer collaboration with NHS teams
- You may be asked to participate in multi-disciplinary planning and delivery
- There will be opportunities to shape local care strategies - but also responsibilities to meet new standards
The hope is that this will improve outcomes throughout co-ordinated care and reduce hospital admissions and delayed discharges.
Increased demand for personalised care planning
The plan sets a target that by 2027, 95% of individuals with complex needs should have an agreed personal care plan that fully reflects their needs and wishes
- Providers will need to co-produce care plans with service users and families
- This may require new training, systems, and staff roles
- Legal clarity around consent, data sharing, and safeguarding will be essential
Digital transformation
The plan considers the longstanding issues around systems, which currently do not speak to each other and contribute to the administrative burden.
- Providers must ensure compatibility with NHS systems and maintain data protection compliance
- There may be funding available for digital upgrades - but navigating eligibility and procurement will require attention
- Opportunities for social care providers to help co-design digital tools and ensure digital inclusion
Workforce and funding challenges
The plan acknowledges the need to improve pay, terms and conditions for social care staff through Fair Pay Agreements.
- Providers should monitor announcements around workforce strategy, digital inclusion, and infrastructure funding
- Legal advice may be needed to interpret new contracts, partnership agreements, and funding conditions
Governance and accountability
The plan sets out a major shift in NHS governance which includes integrating NHS England into DHSC and empowering Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) with long term budgets and more strategic roles.
- ICBs will evolve, and care providers may need to engage with new governance structures
- Ongoing governance uncertainties and the non-statutory nature of ICSs mean that clear accountability and sustainable funding for social care remains unresolved
- Understanding your legal responsibilities within these frameworks and considering how you can influence strategic decisions and resource allocation will be crucial
Where we can help
As your legal advisors, we’re here to support you through these changes. We can assist with:
Contracting and governance
- Contract drafting, review and negotiation with NHS, ICBs and local authorities (and other strategic partners)
- Advising on governance structures for integrated care delivery
- Ensure compliance with Health and Social Care Act 2022 and future legislation
Data protection and digital compliance, especially around the NHS App and wearable tech
- Ensure compliance with GDPR and Data Protection Act 2018
- Draft contracts for digital platforms, software development and data sharing
- Advising on intellectual property and licensing for care technologies
- Advising on AI and software including MHRA and GDPR compliance
Workforce and employment law
- Support with TUPE transfers, workforce integration and restructuring
- Advising on employment contracts, policies and dispute resolution
- Ensure compliance with equality, diversity and inclusion standards
- Facilitating workforce transformation aligned with new care models
Property and infrastructure
- Assist with property acquisition, leasing and development for care facilities
- Navigate planning law and regulatory approvals
- Structure joint ventures for community hubs or retirement living
Funding and procurement advice, helping you access available resources and meet legal requirements.
- Advising on Better Care Fund applications and compliance
- Structure investment deals, grants and public-private partnerships
- Draft and negotiate loan agreements and financial recover plans
Regulatory compliance and risk management
- Strategic regulatory advice to executive level leaders drawing on our extensive knowledge of the rapidly evolving regulatory and political landscape for the sector
- Support and guidance in relation to operational compliance (to ensure compliance with new standards, governance structures and care models) and providing advice and guidance in relation to regulatory responsibilities in new, collaborative care settings
- Advising on regulatory processes and requirements, including registration requirements in relation to new services or the sale and acquisition of existing services
- Advising on share and asset sale transactions, including due diligence on regulatory compliance and quality standards
If you have questions about how the NHS 10 Year Plan affects your organisation - or if you’re already facing challenges with integration, digital transformation, or workforce planning - please get in touch. We’re here to help you navigate the legal landscape and make the most of the opportunities ahead.
