Why the VCSE sector must be at the heart of the NHS 10-year health plan
The Association of Mental Health Providers is the only national membership organisation for mental health charities providing services across England and Wales. Our network of 300+ members collectively deliver over 3,000 vital services at local, regional, and national levels to over 8 million people.
In representing, and on behalf of, our diverse membership of Voluntary, Community, Social Enterprise sector (VCSE) mental health service providers, The Association submitted its response to the Change NHS consultation on the 10-Year Health Plan for England. Our insights highlight the critical role the VCSE provider sector has in delivering effective, inclusive, and often life-saving mental health care and support to people with poor mental health and illness.
Our key recommendations for real change
To ensure the success of the NHS 10-Year Health Plan, we highlighted the following priorities:
- Investment in the VCSE Provider Sector
The VCSE sector is an essential component of the mental health system. Adequate investment ensures these organisations can continue providing vital services and support to over 8 million people. - Embed VCSE Organisations in Service Design and Delivery
Mental health services must be designed in collaboration with VCSE organisations to ensure they meet the needs of all communities. Their on-the-ground experience and insights are valuable. - Culturally Sensitive and Community-Driven Care
Effective mental health support must respect cultural contexts and be driven by the communities it serves. This approach fosters trust and improves outcomes. - Focus on Prevention and Early Intervention
Preventative services and early intervention are essential in limiting the deterioration of mental health, aiding recovery where possible, and reducing mental health crises. Investing in these areas will alleviate pressure on already overstretched NHS services – both mental and physical health. - Fund Workforce Recruitment and Retention in the VCSE Sector
The 10-year plan needs to include a workforce development strategy for the VCSE sector, focusing on recruitment, retention, and professional development, while ensuring parity of pay, funding, and resources between statutory and voluntary sectors. - Leverage Technology to Address Challenges
Technology offers transformative potential in mental health care and support. Digital tools can improve service access, experiences, and outcomes across the sector. - Address the Root Causes of Poor Mental Health and Illness
By strengthening collaboration with the VCSE sector, embracing holistic, whole-person care approaches, focusing investment on early intervention, addressing the socio-economic determinants of mental ill-health, and promoting workforce sustainability and parity.
Our Call to Action
The VCSE mental health sector is crucial for delivering community-based prevention, early intervention, and crisis support. To achieve better outcomes, traditional mental health services must collaborate with those addressing the broader factors impacting mental health and wellbeing. The VCSE sector offers support services that take a whole-person approach and consider the wider impacts on a person’s mental health and wellbeing. Collaboration, and partnership working amongst VCSE providers and with NHS services, inclusive decision-making (including people who use services), and approaches that take a whole person and system approach have been recognised as key elements of effective mental health support for people in ensuring continuity of care.
This is why the Association of Mental Health Providers is calling on the government to ensure that the NHS 10-Year Health Plan makes the VCSE sector a key partner in prevention and early intervention so that we can improve health outcomes, reduce long-term pressures on NHS services, and ensure people receive support before reaching crisis point.