Although a formal committee of Brighton & Hove City Council, the Health & Wellbeing Board has a remit which includes matters relating to the Integrated Care Board (NHS Surrey & Sussex,) the Local Safeguarding Boards for Children and Adults and Healthwatch.

 

Title:

Introduction to Neighbourhood Health Agenda for Change

 

 

Date of Meeting:

28 July 2026

 

 

Report of: Lisa Mitchell, BHCC Skills & Partnership & Manager and Chas Walker B&H Heath & Care Partnership Programme Director

 

 

 

Contact:  Chas Walker

 

 

 

Email:

Chas.walker@brighton-hove.gov.uk

 

 

Wards Affected: All

 

 

 

FOR GENERAL RELEASE

 

Executive Summary

This report is being brought to the Board in line with our agreed strategic direction that the Board is uniquely placed to consider the wider determinants of good health of which employment is one of the most significant.

As part of the Boards development plan we are working on defining a new set of population health priorities, based on our latest population health data, that will support the refresh of our Health & Wellbeing Strategy. We are also actively considering the role of the Board in developing a Place-based neighbourhood health plan over the next year. This report is being brought to the Board to support the above work and provide the Board with a more detailed analysis of employment and health data and wider programmes of work that are in place or being developed that will further support people who are out of work due to health reasons

This report provides the Board with an introduction to:

·       An overview of the wider determinants of health

·       Data we hold on health and employment for the city

·       A detailed presentation from the Councils skills and partnership team on existing health & employment partnerships and new national health and employment programme

Decisions, recommendations and any options

 

Brighton & Hove Health and Wellbeing Board is recommended to:

1.    Note the report

 
  1. Data around employment & health      

1.1.        The data comes from our own Joint Strategic Needs Assessment data collated by our Public Health team

1.2.        Getting people into, and remaining in, good work is priority for physical and mental health. Nationally employment rates are lower for adults with long-term conditions, learning disability and those in contact with secondary mental health services. The map below is from our recent health counts survey and shows the response from local people around their general health and disabilities. The heat map has a strong correlation with the employment and qualification heat maps further down the page

 

1.3.        Adult employment data for the city- 5% (7,700 people) are unemployed in the city (2023). This is higher than the regional average of 3% and the national average of 4%. There are also more significant variations across the city especially linked to areas of deprivation where unemployment is in the top 20% of areas in England

1.4.        Youth unemployment for people aged 16-17 years of age is 3.8% approximately 200 young people this compares to regional average of 6.9% and a national average of 5.2% (2023 data)

1.5.        Education- 12% of adults in the city have no qualifications, this compares to 18% nationally. Areas in Hangleton, MileOak, Moulsecoomb, Whitehawk, Kemptown and Woodingdean are in the top 20% of areas in England with the highest estimated rates

 

  1. Specific work programmes supporting people who are out of work because for health reasons

 

2.1.        According to government labour market figures reported in March 2025, more than 8,600 people in Brighton & Hove were economically inactive because they were too sick to work. This represented around 4% of the working-age population (16–64), or roughly 1 in 25 people of working age. There is a significant national focus on health and getting people back into employment

 

2.2.        Appended to this report is a detailed presentation prepared by the Councils Skills and Employment team that provide more detail on the national get Britian Working Programme and how this is translated locally into the get Sussex Working Programme.

 

2.3.        Within the Get Britian Working Programme is a specific health & employment programme known as the Workwell Programme with its focus on people who are not in work on health grounds. This national programme was piloted in 2024 and in Sussex the pilots were delivered through three Integrated Care Teams (ICTs) across Sussex. In Brighton & Hove this was our East ICT. Appended to this report is the evaluation of the Sussex Workwell Pilots.

 

2.4.        The National WorkWell Programme (England) is a government-funded health and employment support programme designed to help people with health conditions or disabilities stay in work, return to work, or move into employment. It is jointly led by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC). Key Features:

 

·         Free and voluntary service available to people who are: Currently in work but struggling because of a health condition. Out of work and looking to return to employment. Living with physical health, mental health, or other long-term conditions affecting work.

·         Access routes include: GP referral, Jobcentre Plus, Employers, Local support services

·         WorkWell provides personalised support that may include: Physiotherapy and musculoskeletal support, Mental health interventions and counselling. Workplace adjustment advice. Employer liaison and return-to-work planning. Financial, debt, housing, and wellbeing support. Connections to local community services and training opportunities

 

2.5.        National Rollout- The programme was piloted in 15 areas from October 2024, supporting over 25,000 people. Following the pilot's success, the Government announced a nationwide expansion across England, backed by up to £259 million over three years, with the ambition to support up to 250,000 people.

 

2.6.        Why It Matters- WorkWell aims to tackle health-related economic inactivity by providing early intervention before people leave work due to illness and by supporting those already out of work to return more quickly. The programme integrates NHS, local authority, employment, and voluntary sector services into a single coordinated offer.

 

 

 

3.   Important considerations and implications

 

Legal:

 

There are no specific legal implications arising from this report which provided information and is for noting only.

 

 

Lawyer consulted:           Alice Macnair                              Date: 15th July 2026

 

 

            Finance:

 

There are no direct financial implications included in this report.  However, the analysis and interpretation of the data collected will help target the relevant cohorts for the most efficient use of resources.

 

Finance Officer consulted: Brian Smith       Date: 16/07/2026

 

 

Equalities:

 

The data contained in the report shows the strong correlation between deprivation, health inequalities and employment. The application locally of these new national employment programmes should provide tailored support to help people back into work with a strong focus on the city’s most deprived communities

 

 

 

Sustainability:

.

N/A

 

Health, social care, children’s services and public health:

 

As detailed in the main report getting people into, and remaining in, good work is priority for physical and mental health. The application locally of these new national employment programmes should provide tailored support to help people back into work

 

4.   Supporting documents and information