Decision details

Phil Longworth, Kirklees Healthy Working Life Programme Manager,

Allison Porter, Programme Manager Business and Skills, and Jessica Taylor, Young Adults Employability Officer, Fresh Futures, presented the Kirklees Healthy Working Life Programme. 

In summary, the Board was informed that the government produced a white paper in November 2024, which identified a range of actions that needed to happen, to increase the number of people in work.  These were people who had previously been out of work because of ill health and also to increase the support for people who are in work, who might be at risk of losing their job because of ill health.

West Yorkshire was selected for two key national programmes, namely:

1.    Health and Growth Accelerator, led by the West Yorkshire Integrated Care Board (included in the new NHS Plan)

2.    Economic Inactivity Trailblazer led by West Yorkshire Combined Authority (included in the spending review)

The Board was informed that the intention is to deal with those as a single entity. Although funding has only been confirmed for the current financial year, there was specific reference to the accelerator programme in the NHS Plan. This provides some optimism that the approach will continue and that future funding may be made available through the Integrated Care Board (ICB).  Similarly, the trailblazer was referenced in the spending review, which again gives some hope that funding will continue beyond this year.  Work on this has been ongoing since April 2025 and has now progressed to the implementation phase.

This work was established in response to national recognition of the link between health and employment. West Yorkshire was selected due to having some of the highest rates of unemployment related to ill health. While a reasonable level of funding has been confirmed for this year and for the Trailblazer programme next year, the details of future funding remain uncertain.

It is well established that mental health, musculoskeletal conditions, and cardiometabolic issues are key factors affecting people’s ability to work. Historically, mental health and musculoskeletal issues contributed equally, but recent evidence shows a shift around 40% of those at risk of leaving work or struggling to return due to ill health are now affected by mental health conditions. This highlights mental health as a growing area of concern.

Due to the nature of the conditions, the greatest numbers of people are in the 50 plus age group, however, the group that is growing fastest in terms of people who are not in work due to ill health is young people aged 16 to 24. One of the distinguishing features of the approach in Kirklees, compared to other areas in West Yorkshire and the two other areas receiving accelerator funding, is a strong focus on supporting young people.  It is also important to highlight that out of the people who are not currently working, who are classed as economically inactive, approximately one in four, it is because of long term, ill health issues.

Referring to the presentation slides, the Board was shown a summary on a page, of the various schemes available and the actions being taken to help people. The Board was advised that a webpage is also available which provides an overview of each of the schemes, including their focus areas and target groups and links to further information.  In addition, each scheme is developing its own communication materials to engage with its intended audience and outline what support is available.

Jessica Taylor provided the Board with a real-life example from Fresh Futures, based at Brian Jackson House, highlighting the Elevate programme which supports young people aged 18 to 26. 

The Board was informed that a session was held which brought together approximately 40 participants from across the various schemes. Despite the busy nature of the work, there was a strong sense of enthusiasm and a clear desire among attendees to build new connections across the work and health agenda.

A national evaluation is currently underway, with each scheme required to collect detailed data on their activities and the individuals they support. Over the coming months, it will be possible to share more in-depth insight into who has been engaged, the impact of the support provided, and how many participants have successfully moved into employment. This data will contribute to the national evidence base, supporting a more detailed understanding of the relationship between health and employment.

The Board was informed that further focus is needed on marketing and communications, particularly now that all schemes are live and work is underway to strengthen this over the coming weeks. Efforts are also being made to build stronger links with businesses, and engagement has already begun with Primary Care Teams through Primary Care Networks, as well as with local services such as Talking Therapies.

RESOLVED:

That:

a)    Phil Longworth, Allison Porter and Jessica Taylor be thanked for providing an update on the Kirklees Healthy Working Life Programme

b)    The Board supports the implementation of the Kirklees Healthy Working Life programme and

c)    endorses the approach of adopting an integrated approach that provides coordinated, joined-up delivery of work, health, and skills support.