Funding models

Trusts may inevitably need to release control on some of what they spend. Whilst the size of investment for neighbourhood working by trusts is generally small compared to total system expenditure, its impact relies on flexibility and local control. Neighbourhood teams need long-term, predictable funding as it enables sustainable partnerships to be built and supports the need to respond to evolving priorities - for example, investing upfront in prevention and relationship-building, which reduces acute service demands over time.​

Boards should consider:

• How resources can be effectively directed towards team-based and community-led care.

• How neighbourhood teams can be given the ability to adapt spending to local priorities over time.  

• Funding digital products and platforms for the long-term rather than on a time-limited project basis which creates cliff edges and uncertainty.