Poor prevention and early intervention
Over-reliance on hospital discharge solutions rather than prioritising prevention and early intervention strategies in health and social care.
Strongest theme matches
Mixed across source types and ranked by classifier confidence plus text match strength.
Committee recommendation
100match
#14 - Spending shifts from preventative to late intervention services, increasing later costs and worsening outcomes.
MHCLG recognises the importance of investing in prevention but also the challenge of funding it when finances are constrained.34 Preventative services help stop, delay or reduce the need for statutory services and can help to deliver better outcomes.35 Over the period 2015–16 to 2023–24, local authorities have spent more on some later intervention services and less on 26...
Matched on
terms: early, intervention, prevention
Committee recommendation
100match
#3 - Provide details on how local government finance settlement will support greater investment in prevention.
Significant financial pressures are constraining local authorities’ ability to invest in prevention, leading to less early intervention services which could help manage demand. Preventative services can be used to manage demand by helping to stop, delay or reduce the extent of need for statutory services and can help deliver better outcomes. Government has different approaches to encourage spending...
Matched on
terms: early, intervention, prevention
Committee recommendation
99match
#72 - Prioritise strategic funding deployment for early intervention in SEND to improve outcomes.
Funding must be strategically deployed to deliver the best outcomes for children and young people with SEND. This should include prioritised investment in early intervention. Timely and targeted support is essential 170 and can prevent some needs such as speech and language and SEMH needs from escalating, reducing long-term costs to the system, and improving educational and life...
Matched on
terms: early, intervention
Committee recommendation
83match
#73 - Refocus High Needs Block funding towards early intervention and identification in mainstream settings.
The High Needs Block should be refocused to enable and incentivise earlier intervention. Currently, a significant proportion of this funding is directed towards supporting high-cost, specialist provision once needs have escalated. While such provision is vital for some, a more preventative approach is needed to reduce long-term need and improve outcomes. Redirecting a greater share of High Needs...
Matched on
terms: early, intervention
Committee recommendation
78match
#9 - MHCLG exploring incentives and best practice sharing for homelessness prevention funding.
MHCLG told us that it was actively looking at ways to incentivise and support local government to move more funding into preventive rather than reactive activity.13 We pressed MHCLG on how it might achieve this. It explained that local authorities have different strategies–for example, in terms of intervening in the housing market or working with other agencies. While...
Matched on
terms: prevention
Committee recommendation
78match
#38 - Family Hubs offer SEND identification opportunities but lack sufficient awareness and early screening.
Best Start Family Hubs and the expansion of childcare provision present a valuable opportunity to engage with families earlier and identify SEND needs at the earliest possible stage. We welcome the announcement that every Best Start Family Hub will have a SENCO. However, SEND awareness is not currently sufficiently embedded amongst all early years staff, nor are there...
Matched on
terms: early
Committee recommendation
78match
#15 - Increase funding for VAWG prevention programmes to meet the halving target
In the long term, funding for prevention is vital if the Government’s target of halving VAWG in a decade has a chance of being met. Currently there is insufficient funding of prevention programmes, in part because of the difficulties in measuring impact. This difficulty should not be a barrier to funding prevention programmes; the Home Office needs to...
Matched on
terms: intervention, prevention
Committee recommendation
78match
#9 - Prioritise agreement on adult social care funding structure, including a ring-fence for prevention.
We recommend that securing agreement on the funding structure must be the top priority for the Casey Commission and for any future Government reforms. Without this agreement, reform can only ever be piecemeal and short-term in outlook and, ultimately, will fail. We also recommend that any future funding structure includes a ring-fence for preventative work. (Recommendation, Paragraph 61)...
Matched on
terms: prevention
Committee recommendation
74match
#8 - Provide further clarity on service reforms' implementation and success measurement for prevention initiatives.
The Government has committed over £1.5 billion from the Transformation Fund to reform adult social care, children’s social care, SEND, and homelessness services so that they are focused on prevention. Reforms to these services are urgently needed, but the Government must provide further clarity about what these service reforms will involve, how they will be implemented, and how...
Matched on
terms: prevention
Committee recommendation
70match
#8 - National homelessness prevention strategies remain limited, delaying support for vulnerable families.
In its written submission, the Shared Health Foundation emphasised that, aside from plans to build more houses, national prevention strategies for all forms of homelessness remain limited. It claimed that many families facing homelessness are told by local authorities to wait until their eviction date before being provided with emergency support, because of a lack of viable preventive...
Matched on
terms: prevention
Committee recommendation
70match
#25 - Home Office makes little progress on VAWG prevention, straining criminal justice system capacity.
The NAO found that, to date, the Home Office has made little progress developing measures to prevent violence against women and girls (VAWG).58 The Home Office told us that it expects that reported rates of VAWG will increase initially due to an increase in trust in the system.59 However, stakeholders told the NAO that they were concerned about...
Matched on
terms: prevention
Committee recommendation
70match
#7 - Require DSIT to outline Online Safety Act's impact on children's safety and VAWG prevention.
We are concerned that government departments’ approach to tech–enabled violence against women and girls is not sufficiently agile to address the threats posed by online harm. Tech–enabled VAWG is a rapidly evolving threat. For example, in 2024 the revenge porn helpline received 22,000 cases, compared with 521 in 2015. The Online Safety Act, introduced in October 2023, was...
Matched on
terms: prevention
Committee recommendation
69match
#39 - Ensure Best Start Family Hubs incorporate routine SEND screening and allocate dedicated funding for staff training.
The Department for Education must ensure that Best Start Family Hubs incorporate routine SEND screening and awareness as a core part of their early years services, supported by targeted training for staff and childcare providers to enhance early identification and referral. Additionally, dedicated funding must be allocated within childcare expansion and Family Hub budgets specifically to support SEND-related...
Matched on
terms: early, intervention
NAO recommendation
68match
NHS Financial Management and Sustainability
DHSC, NHSE and ICSs need to intensify their efforts to manage current and future demand for healthcare by preventing more serious ill health. This should include: ? work to improve understanding of what ICBs and providers have had success doing so far, and how much is spent on prevention outside national programmes; ? an agreed definition of what...
Matched on
terms: poor, prevention
Committee recommendation
66match
#13 - Unsustainable EHC plan levels highlight insufficient early support and parental distrust
Current levels of EHC plans are unsustainable; however, the solution to this cannot be to remove the statutory entitlements from a system which lacks accountability in many other areas and in which parents already have so little trust and confidence. We have heard throughout our inquiry from parents, schools, and the Department for Education that the increased need...
Matched on
terms: early
Committee recommendation
66match
#18 - Ringfence government money for primary prevention in future Spending Reviews
We recommend that the Government ringfences money to invest in primary prevention in future Spending Reviews, based on the evidence produced by commissioned research. (Recommendation, Paragraph 47) 25
Matched on
terms: prevention
Committee recommendation
66match
#17 - Insufficient additional funding for primary prevention will prevent meeting VAWG halving target
If there is not additional funding to invest in primary prevention the Government will not meet its target to halve VAWG in a decade. If the Government is to have a chance of meeting its target, it needs to be creative—for example in tackling online VAWG—in assessing how it can invest in prevention work with the whole population....
Matched on
terms: prevention
Committee recommendation
66match
#16 - Partner with universities and third sector to fund research into VAWG prevention effectiveness
We recommend that the Government partners with universities and the third sector to fund and promote research into the effectiveness of different prevention measures, including research into primary prevention. The Government should inform the Committee of its proposals for acting on this recommendation within six months. (Recommendation, Paragraph 42)
Matched on
terms: prevention
PFD report
65match
Isabella Drew
Inadequate national guidance and audit procedures prevent healthcare providers from consistently advising pregnant women about whooping cough vaccination. Poor communication links between antenatal healthcare providers also pose risks.
Matched on
terms: poor
PFD report
65match
Steven Regoli
Inadequate systems existed for providing in-depth mental health support to patients with anxiety and non-engagement issues, leaving families as the sole caregivers and preventing necessary intervention.
Matched on
terms: intervention
Inquiry recommendation
65match
19 - Nottingham harmful sexual behaviour evaluation
Nottingham City Council and its child protection partners should commission an independent, external evaluation of their practice concerning harmful sexual behaviour, including responses, prevention, assessment, intervention and workforce development. An action plan should be set up to ensure that any recommendations are responded to in a timely manner and progress should be reported to City's Safeguarding Children Partnership.
Matched on
terms: intervention, prevention
Committee recommendation
65match
#14 - Provide SEND support as soon as need is identified, not reliant on EHC plans
Support should be provided as soon as a need is identified, rather than only once an EHC plan is in place. This would bring England in line with good practice found internationally, for example in in Ontario, Canada, where entitlement is based on need rather than lengthy assessment processes. Such a change would prevent the current situation in...
Matched on
terms: intervention
Committee recommendation
64match
#25 - 7th Report - Transnational repression in the UK
In addition, the Government should take proactive steps to protect individuals facing an extradition risk due to a politically motivated Red Notice. A voluntary mechanism should be introduced to allow targeted British Nationals to notify the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) of planned travel to high-risk countries. This would give UK missions advance notice and allow them...
Matched on
terms: early, intervention
Committee recommendation
62match
#21 - School education on FGM is an essential and welcomed prevention method.
Education on FGM in schools is an essential means of preventing FGM. It can equip girls to advocate on behalf of themselves and to challenge prevailing orthodoxies on behalf of others. We welcome the current and future guidance on RHSE which includes content on the physical and emotional damage caused by FGM, where to find support, and the...
Matched on
terms: prevention
PFD report
61match
Emma Carpenter
Critical specialist eating disorder services for children lacked long-term funding and inpatient bed provision. Insufficient funding for school nurses caused poor communication between mental health and education systems.
Matched on
terms: poor
PFD report
61match
Jack May
Inadequate university mental health services, characterized by long waits and limited appointments, combined with patchy, poorly trained pastoral support from personal tutors, allowed students to "slip through the net."
Matched on
terms: poor
Committee recommendation
61match
#20 - 1st Report – Employment support for disabled people: Connect to Work
In its response to this report, the government should set out clearly how individuals affected by gaps between the Work and Health Programme Pioneer and the rollout of Connect to Work will be supported going forward. This should include an explanation of how demand pressures on Connect to Work will be anticipated and managed as implementation continues, particularly...
Matched on
terms: early
Committee recommendation
61match
#27 - Departmental annual report shows significant omissions on preventative and end-of-life care.
The NHS Long Term Plan states that ill health prevention helps the public to stay healthy, as well as moderating demands on the NHS. The Department recognised in its 2023–24 Annual Report that there “is still much work to do to make a shift towards prevention in the NHS”.43 We observed that, with the exception of a very...
Matched on
terms: prevention
Committee recommendation
59match
#21 - Welcome new Better Care Fund objectives supporting preventative services over hospital discharge focus
We welcome the new objectives for the Better Care Fund to support preventative services, rather than simply focusing on solving challenges with hospital discharge. (Conclusion, Paragraph 111)
Matched on
classifier match
PFD report
57match
Edward Farmer
A national campaign is needed to highlight the inherent risks of rapid alcohol consumption and initiation events, focusing on identifying at-risk individuals and the importance of timely medical intervention.
Matched on
terms: intervention
PFD report
57match
Carolyne Senior
Hospital staff lacked sufficient specialist mental health advice to properly assess and mitigate falls risks for patients with mental health needs, leading to inadequate care plans.
Matched on
classifier match
Committee recommendation
57match
#30 - VAWG Strategy lacks specific provisions to address harmful attitudes among boys beyond RSE.
We asked DfE specifically what role boys are playing in the prevention work it was delivering through the VAWG Strategy. DfE told us that there is not a part of the new VAWG Strategy specifically designed to address harmful attitudes amongst boys.71 DfE told us that it had expanded the new draft guidance on RSE to include misogynistic...
Matched on
terms: prevention
Committee recommendation
57match
#25 - Inaction on adult social care reform creates unsustainable human and financial costs
We support and echo the conclusions of the recent report Adult Social Care Reform by the Health and Social Care committee. As they have said in the summary of their report, successive Governments have not fully considered the human and financial costs of inaction on social care reform, including costs falling on local authorities and their residents. The...
Matched on
classifier match
Committee recommendation
57match
#9 - Bolstering preventative services must not underfund essential acute services like temporary accommodation.
We support the Government’s current stated intention to focus more on prevention to reduce the demand for more expensive acute services in the long term. These preventative services have been weakened by a decade of underfunding in local government. However, bolstering preventative services must not come at the expense of acute services, such as temporary accommodation provision, lacking...
Matched on
terms: prevention
Committee recommendation
57match
#22 - Community education, involving influential leaders, effectively challenges FGM beliefs and raises awareness.
Education among communities can be an effective tool in challenging the beliefs that fuel FGM and in raising awareness of the serious health impacts of FGM. The effectiveness of these campaigns is likely to be increased when influential people within the community, such as religious leaders, are included in education and prevention efforts. (Conclusion, Paragraph 67)
Matched on
terms: prevention
Committee recommendation
57match
#22 - Review NHS investment in the Better Care Fund to meet its preventative service focus
We recommend that the Government and the NHS review the structure and level of NHS investment in the Better Care Fund to ensure it is fully capable of meeting its renewed focused on upstream and preventative work. (Recommendation, Paragraph 112) 56
Matched on
classifier match
Committee recommendation
57match
#2 - Publish annual assessment of unmet care needs for adults, including methodology and supporting data.
The Government should publish an annual assessment of the level of unmet care needs for both older adults and working age disabled adults, publishing its methodology and supporting data to ensure transparency and allow for scrutiny. (Recommendation, Paragraph 21)
Matched on
classifier match
Committee recommendation
57match
#1 - Adult social care system fails to meet needs and lacks robust data for effective reform.
The current adult social care system does not sufficiently meet the needs of the population despite the efforts of millions of paid and unpaid carers. Financial pressures mean that those needing care sometimes only receive basic support, far from enough to enable them to live fulfilling lives. Despite this, costs continue to increase, with the Government, and taxpayers,...
Matched on
classifier match
HMICFRS recommendation
56match
FRS 2021-22 CoC Recommendations: Buckinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service
Cause of concern: Prevention activity is not a sufficiently high priority for the service, and it is not adequately identifying those most at risk from fire. Recommendation: By 30 September 2021, the service should have plans in place for:- the revision of its prevention strategy in order that it clearly prioritises the people most at risk of fire...
Matched on
terms: early, prevention
PFD report
53match
Ann Margaret Spearing
Despite clear malnutrition and learning difficulties, the deceased was repeatedly assessed by mental health, hospital, and eating disorder services, yet consistently misdiagnosed or found not to have a treatable condition.
Matched on
classifier match
PFD report
53match
Vadims Aleksejevs
There is a lack of clarity on whether adult social care or addiction services provide outreach to vulnerable homeless individuals on campsites, and an unclear statutory duty to house them.
Matched on
classifier match
PFD report
53match
Jamie Pashley
The system over-relied on individuals proactively managing their rehabilitation post-detoxification. Concerns included a lack of fixed appointments, follow-up calls, and limited availability of an alcohol liaison nurse post-discharge.
Matched on
classifier match
PFD report
53match
Rifky Grossberger
Insufficient communication of blind cord dangers to new parents, absence of a national safety leaflet, and missed opportunities for healthcare professionals to provide warnings contributed to the risk.
Matched on
classifier match
Committee recommendation
53match
#22 - 8th Report – Healthy Ageing: physical activity in an ageing society
We recommend that the Department’s “national movement campaign” include targeted messaging aimed at the least active and people approaching older age. These messages should demonstrate how movement can be incorporated into daily habits, use relatable role models and focus on examples of movement that will increase strength and balance. (Recommendation, Paragraph 75)
Matched on
classifier match
Committee recommendation
53match
#6 - Mandate Home Office to outline greater emphasis on preventative VAWG measures and inter-departmental collaboration.
We are concerned that, to date, the approach to tackling violence against women and girls has not put enough emphasis on preventative measures that are necessary to achieve long–term change. Although it is imperative that all survivors receive effective support, government needs to do more to prevent perpetrators committing these crimes in the first instance. It is shocking...
Matched on
classifier match
Committee recommendation
53match
#27 - Accelerate adult social care commission timescale and fully fund sector by Parliament's end
The timescale for the commission into adult social care should be brought forward, and it must present actionable reforms to the sector as part of its interim findings in 2026. The Government must not wait for the commission to publish its final report, and treat its interim findings with due urgency. The Government must ensure that adult social...
Matched on
classifier match
Committee recommendation
53match
#26 - Proposed timescale for adult social care commission risks insufficient and delayed reform
While we support the new independent commission into adult social care led by Baroness Casey, we are concerned that the proposed timescale means that urgent reforms to social care services will not be implemented soon enough to overcome the severity of the crisis in adult social care. If no action is taken by the time the commission concludes...
Matched on
classifier match
Committee recommendation
53match
#23 - Fund tailored community-led education programmes to challenge cultural beliefs driving FGM.
The Government and local authorities should fund community-led education programmes to challenge the cultural and social beliefs that drive FGM. These programmes must be tailored to reflect the specific drivers of FGM within different communities. Education must include the health consequences of FGM and be targeted at those who drive FGM within communities. (Recommendation, Paragraph 68) Preventing FGM:...
Matched on
classifier match
PHSO casework decision
51match
P-004413 - A practice in the West Suffolk area
Mr M complains that the surgery's early diagnoses and failure to refer his wife for an X-ray meant there was a lost opportunity for early intervention for a later cancer diagnosis.
Matched on
terms: early, intervention
PFD report
49match
Oliver Hiscutt
Lack of mandatory formal paediatric child health training for GPs results in inadequate skills to assess and manage sick children effectively.
Matched on
classifier match