Integrated Care Systems and Social Care | What Providers Need to Know

July 16, 2025

Integrated Care Systems and Social Care: What Providers Need to Know

Integrated Care Systems (ICSs) have been central to NHS reforms — but their impact on social care commissioning is only just starting to take shape. For providers, understanding how ICSs operate is essential for future-proofing services and aligning with commissioning expectations.

🔍 What Are ICSs?

ICSs bring together NHS bodies, local authorities, and voluntary sectors to plan and deliver health and care services at a system level. The aim is to improve population health, tackle inequalities, and integrate care across organisational boundaries.

For social care providers, this means fewer decisions made in isolation and more scrutiny on how services contribute to health outcomes, prevention, and system-wide priorities.

✅ Why ICSs Matter for Providers

Commissioners increasingly expect alignment with ICS goals
Partnership working and collaboration are more valued than ever
Outcomes, data sharing, and integrated pathways are key focus areas
Social value delivery is often tied to ICS health priorities

💡 How to Align with ICS Expectations

Review local ICS strategies and delivery plans
Ensure your services link to population health goals (prevention, reablement, reducing hospital admissions)
Strengthen relationships with health partners and voluntary sector
Embed data collection and outcomes reporting aligned to ICS frameworks
Demonstrate how your service adds value to the wider system

📥 Support for Providers

At Impact Guru Ltd, we help providers strengthen their bids, governance, and quality frameworks to align with ICS and commissioning priorities. Explore our tailored services:

Written by Mike Harrison, Founder of Impact Guru Ltd — specialists in bid writing and strategy for social care providers

Visit impact-guru.co.uk to browse downloadable strategies, method statements, or get in touch about tender support.