Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what discussions his Department has had with the Department for Education on incorporating children’s social care services into Integrated Care Systems.

Promoting integrated care is a priority for the Government and helping to develop Integrated Care Systems (ICSs) is a crucial part of this work.

In developing ICSs, we have been keen to allow local areas to develop models that work most effectively for them. This will allow them to promote close working between health and care organisations and between National Health Service (NHS) bodies and local authorities to support effective local service integration.

NHS England is currently engaging on ICSs, and we will respond to that engagement in due course, including by introducing legislative change as necessary.