North Yorkshire Council

Health & Adult Services  

Executive Member Meeting

12^th June 2026

REPORT TOCorporate Director of Health and Adult Services (HAS) in consultation with the Executive Member for Health and Adult Services and the Executive Member for Corporate Services

Prevention Plus - Competitive Grants  

1.0      PURPOSE OF REPORT

1.1      The purpose of the report is to seek approval from the Director for Health & Adult Services in consultation with the Executive Member for Health and Adult Services and the Executive Member for Corporate Services to run a competitive grants process to engage providers from the Voluntary and Community Sector to participate in this enhanced prevention ‘test and learn’ pilot; and to endorse the approach to evaluating the pilot.

2.0       SUMMARY

2.1 Approval is sought to proceed with a competitive grant process to deliver a programme of Prevention Plus pilots across North Yorkshire. The model aims to create a community-led, preventative support system by bringing together voluntary and community sector (VCSE) organisations, council services and health partners to provide early, coordinated support, helping residents remain independent and reducing demand on statutory services.

2.2 Prevention Plus will operate as place-based, “test and learn” pilots across eleven localities, using trusted VCSE organisations to deliver personalised, strengths-based support through community caseworkers and stronger integration with statutory services. The approach is designed to flex to local need and build on existing community assets.

2.3 Following consideration of commissioning options, an open competitive grant process is recommended as the most transparent and flexible approach, enabling innovation while ensuring alignment with the model.

2.4 Up to £3.6m over three years has been approved by the Council’s Executive, with grants of up to £60k per annum available. The pilot will be independently evaluated with academic partners to assess outcomes and system impact.

2.5 Approval is sought to proceed with the grants process and evaluation approach.

3.0 BACKGROUND

3.1 Prevention Plus creates a local, community-led system where people receive early, coordinated support through trusted VCSE organisations, council services and health providers working together. Helping residents stay independent, improving the persons experience of life and reducing pressure on statutory services.

3.2 North Yorkshire’s Councils approach to Prevention Plus sits within a wider system-level ambition to move from reactive to proactive models of preventative care and support. This is reflected in major national and local drivers, including the direction set out by the Department of Health and Social Care and the Local Government Association.

4.0 SUBSTANTIVE ISSUE: DELIVERY OF THE PREVENTION PLUS MODEL

4.1 The Prevention Plus model is a place-based approach to prevention that brings together voluntary and community sector organisations with statutory partners to create a coordinated “ring of support” around individuals. It aims to enable people to live independently and maintain a good quality of life within their own communities by strengthening connections between community assets and formal social care and health services.

4.2 Delivery will be led through trusted VCSE organisations, working in partnership with Adult Social Care, other local authority teams and NHS services. The model builds on existing community provision, enhancing capacity and embedding statutory roles within community settings to provide more integrated, accessible support.

4.3 A core feature of the model is a community caseworker approach, providing personalised, strengths-based support to individuals who may be at risk of escalating needs but do not meet eligibility thresholds. This includes early help, navigation, and connection to local services and activities, alongside opportunities for co-location and multi-disciplinary working with statutory services.

4.4 The model will initially be delivered as a phased test-and-learn pilot across eleven localities, with flexibility to adapt and flex around local needs, available assets and organisational capacity. It is expected to improve outcomes for residents while reducing demand on health and social care services through earlier intervention, better coordination, and more effective use of community assets.

4.5 The eleven places have been identified using adult social care demand data with the aim of reaching a mix of rural, urban and coastal communities; ensuring a geographical spread to include a minimum of one in each of the Local Care Partnership and Area Committee localities.

4.6 It is proposed that the test and learn pilot will be independently and robustly evaluated to understand both outcomes for individuals and system wide impact. The Universities of Hull and Sheffield have been identified as the academic partners through the Council’s Health Determinants Research Collaboration.

5.0 ALTERNATIVE COMMISSIONING OPTIONS CONSIDERED 

5.1 A range of commissioning approaches have been considered: an open procurement, direct awards, and an open competitive grant process.

5.2 Option one – Delivery of an open procurement process

Following a discussion and analysis of this option with legal services and procurement, it was agreed that a service contract would not meet the needs of the service due to the relational, community-led nature of the test-and-learn Prevention Plus model which requires different approaches in different places determined by the needs and community resources available. The model relies on collaboration and building local relationships across a range of agencies, some of whom sitting outside the control of the Council.

5.3 Option two – Direct Grant Awards

Direct Grant Awards offer greater control over delivery partners and reflect the role of established system partners; however, it limits access to funding opportunities and requires a strong justification to demonstrate why only certain organisations are eligible.

5.4 Option three – Delivery of an open grant process

An open competitive grant process, which invites applications from across the voluntary and community sector, whilst setting clear eligibility and assessment criteria aligned to the Prevention Plus model. This ensures transparency, fairness and alignment with public sector grant-making best practice. An open approach also supports innovation, while supporting delivery of a flexible, place-based prevention model. This is the preferred option.

6.0 FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS

6.1 The North Yorkshire Council Executive on the 17 February 2026 approved up to £3.6m of revenue funding over a three-year period to fund the test-and-learn Prevention Plus model in around ten locations across North Yorkshire.

6.2 Grants of up to £60,000 per annum will be available. It is anticipated that the level of each award will reflect the level of anticipated demand in the locality with smaller sums being awarded in areas of lower need or population.

7.0 LEGAL IMPLICATIONS

7.1 Consultation has taken place with the Legal Contracts team (Legal Services) and the Council’s Procurement Team to ascertain whether a contract for services or a grant agreement was the most appropriate arrangement for delivery; following discussion and analysis it was agreed that a grant arrangement was most appropriate. All awards made under the pilot will be compliant with Subsidy Control Act 2022.

8.0 RISKS

8.1 Risk: There is a risk that the capacity and capability of VCSE organisations to deliver the Prevention Plus model may vary across localities, which could impact the consistency and quality of delivery in the early stages of implementation.

8.2 Mitigation: This risk will be mitigated through a phased test-and-learn rollout, with a range of technical and developmental support from the Council to build organisational capacity and capabilities and facilitate peer learning between participating organisations to strengthen delivery across all areas.

9.0 EQUALITIES IMPLICATIONS

9.1 An equalities impact screening assessment has been completed (attached at Appendix A), there are no adverse impacts on any protected characteristics.

10.0 CLIMATE CHANGE IMPLICATIONS

10.1 There are no significant environmental implications arising from this report (see attached Initial Climate Change Impact Assessment Form attached at Appendix B).

11.0 CONCLUSION

11.1 Recognising that in seeking to establish place based, community-led enhanced prevention services across North Yorkshire, the target operating model for Prevention Plus will look and work differently in different places. As such the Council does not wish to impose a single, uniform model. Instead, it wants to learn from local innovation, understand what works in different localities, and co‑develop future commissioning based on real‑world evidence.

11.2 The Council now seeks to test how this vision works in practice across 11 specific localities, working with locally rooted VCSE organisations who are best placed to design and deliver a local model that reflects the needs, assets and relationships of their place.

11.3 It is therefore concluded that a competitive grant opportunity aimed at organisations already embedded and delivering support is the optimal route to implementing the test and learn pilots.

12.0 REASON FOR RECOMMENDATIONS

12.1 Approval is sought to proceed with an open competitive grant process as the Prevention Plus model relies on strong, place-based VCSE organisations with established community relationships, while also benefiting from opening opportunities to a wider range of capable providers.

12.2 An open approach ensures transparency, fairness and supports innovation. It represents a proportionate and value-for-money approach, avoiding unnecessary restriction while maintaining clear outcome-focused criteria, and best supports system-wide transformation in place by building relationships, galvanising existing community assets, strengthening preventative approaches and reducing long-term demand on statutory services.

12.3 It is proposed that this test and learn pilot is independently evaluated. Through the Council’s Health Determinants Research Collaborative, some work has already been undertaken with the Universities of Hull (a co-applicant to HDRC) and Sheffield regarding identifying methodologies for measuring strengths-based community led interventions. Research has been undertaken with existing North Yorkshire Community Anchor Organisations which has helped to inform a toolkit for impact measurement.

13.0 RECOMMENDATIONS

13.1    It is recommended that:

            i) the proposal to proceed with an open competitive grant process to engage providers from the Voluntary and Community Sector to participate in this enhanced prevention ‘test and learn’ pilot is approved; and

            ii) the approach to work with the Universities of Hull and Sheffield for the evaluation of the pilot is endorsed.

Report authors:

Liz Meade, Communities Area Manager (Central)

Marie- Ann Jackson, Head of Localities

28 May 2026

Appendix A – Equalities Impact Assessment Screening

Appendix B – Climate Change

Appendix A

Initial equality impact assessment screening form This form records an equality screening process to determine the relevance of equality to a proposal, and a decision whether or not a full EIA would be appropriate or proportionate.
Directorate	Local Engagement
Service area	Localities
Proposal being screened	Procurement for Voluntary and Community organisations to participate in the delivery of a test-and- learn enhanced prevention model.
Officer(s) carrying out screening	Marie-Ann Jackson
What are you proposing to do?	Proceed with an open competitive grant process to deliver the Prevention Plus model that creates a local, community-led system where people receive early, coordinated support through trusted VCSE organisations, council services and health providers working together. Helping residents stay independent, improving the persons experience of life and reducing pressure on statutory services
Why are you proposing this? What are the desired outcomes?	to engage providers from the Voluntary and Community Sector to participate in this enhanced prevention ‘test and learn’ pilot.
Does the proposal involve a significant commitment or removal of resources? Please give details.	No
Impact on people with any of the following protected characteristics as defined by the Equality Act 2010, or NYC’s additional agreed characteristics As part of this assessment, please consider the following questions: · To what extent is this service used by particular groups of people with protected characteristics? · Does the proposal relate to functions that previous consultation has identified as important? · Do different groups have different needs or experiences in the area the proposal relates to? If for any characteristic it is considered that there is likely to be an adverse impact or you have ticked ‘Don’t know/no info available’, then a full EIA should be carried out where this is proportionate. You are advised to speak to your directorate representative for advice if you are in any doubt.
Protected characteristic		Potential for adverse impact				Don’t know/No info available
		Yes		No
Age				X
Disability				X
Sex				X
Race				X
Sexual orientation				X
Gender reassignment				X
Religion or belief				X
Pregnancy or maternity				X
Marriage or civil partnership				X
People in rural areas				X
People on a low income				X
Carer (unpaid family or friend)				X
Are from the Armed Forces Community				X
Does the proposal relate to an area where there are known inequalities/probable impacts (for example, disabled people’s access to public transport)? Please give details.		Yes, the design of the Prevention Plus model directly relates to areas with known inequalities. The model is explicitly place-based and is intended to be rolled out in localities prioritised on the basis of need, including rurality,
Will the proposal have a significant effect on how other organisations operate? (for example, partners, funding criteria, etc.). Do any of these organisations support people with protected characteristics? Please explain why you have reached this conclusion.		Prevention Plus will support more integrated, place-based working, with statutory and VCSE partners collaborating more closely in community settings. Overall, it strengthens the role of VCSE organisations as key partners and drives a more joined-up system focused on early intervention.
Decision (Please tick one option)		EIA not relevant or proportionate:	ü		Continue to full EIA:
Reason for decision		The process of proceeding with an open competitive grant process to deliver the Prevention Plus model will not have any adverse impact on any protected characteristics.
Signed (Assistant Director or equivalent)		Marie-Ann Jackson, Head of Localities
Date		14 May 2026

Appendix B

Initial Climate Change Impact Assessment

The intention of this document is to help the council to gain an initial understanding of the impact of a project or decision on the environment. This document should be completed in consultation with the supporting guidance. Dependent on this initial assessment you may need to go on to complete a full Climate Change Impact Assessment. The final document will be published as part of the decision-making process.

If you have any additional queries, which are not covered by the guidance please email climatechange@northyorks.gov.uk

Title of proposal	Commissioning for Voluntary and Community organisations to participate in the delivery of a test-and- learn enhanced prevention model.
Brief description of proposal	The proposal is to proceed with an open competitive grant process to deliver the Prevention Plus model that creates a local, community-led system where people receive early, coordinated support through trusted VCSE organisations, council services and health providers working together. Helping residents stay independent, improving the persons experience of life and reducing pressure on statutory services
Directorate	Local Engagement
Service area	Localities
Lead officer	Marie-Ann Jackson
Names and roles of other people involved in carrying out the impact assessment	Liz Meade Area Communities Manager, Localities.

The chart below contains the main environmental factors to consider in your initial assessment – choose the appropriate option from the drop-down list for each one.

Remember to think about the following;

· Travel

· Construction

· Data storage

· Use of buildings

· Change of land use

· Opportunities for recycling and reuse

Environmental factor to consider	For the council	For the county	Overall
Greenhouse gas emissions	No effect on emissions	No Effect on emissions	No effect on emissions
Waste	No effect on waste	No effect on waste	No effect on waste
Water use	No effect on water usage	No effect on water usage	No effect on water usage
Pollution (air, land, water, noise, light)	No effect on pollution	No effect on pollution	No effect on pollution
Resilience to adverse weather/climate events (flooding, drought etc)	No effect on resilience	No effect on resilience	No effect on resilience
Ecological effects (biodiversity, loss of habitat etc)	No effect on ecology	No effect on ecology	No effect on ecology
Heritage and landscape	No effect on heritage and landscape	No effect on heritage and landscape	No effect on heritage and landscape

If any of these factors are likely to result in a negative or positive environmental impact then a full climate change impact assessment will be required. It is important that we capture information about both positive and negative impacts to aid the council in calculating its carbon footprint and environmental impact.

Decision (Please tick one option)	Full CCIA not relevant or proportionate:	X	Continue to full CCIA:
Reason for decision	The procurement for Voluntary and Community organisations to participate in the delivery of a test-and- learn enhanced prevention model will have no impact on any of the categories.
Signed (Assistant Director or equivalent)	Marie-Ann Jackson, Head of Localities
Date	14 May 2026