THE CHALLENGE
Health and social care systems are under intense and increasing pressure, delivering the NHS People Plan within this complexity is no small task.
Across the Black Country, organisations were working hard but often in silos, with limited trust and no shared vision for their people. The challenge was to unite partners around a common purpose. Strengthening leadership, building trust to make collaboration part of everyday practice and introduce a new behavioural framework with clearer ways of working that build confidence and accountability.
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OUR APPROACH
We began by analysing workforce data and speaking with senior leaders to understand their real experiences of the pressures, frustrations and hopes for change.
Using these insights, we brought partners from across health, care and the voluntary sectors together in a series of practical, high-energy workshops to imagine what the system could be like at its best.
We built empathy and trust, helping partners see shared priorities and opportunities. Through open, constructive challenge, the People Group co-created a new governance model and behavioural framework that turns ambition into clear, collective action.
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THE IMPACT
The Black Country People Group now shares a clear, co-created governance structure and delivery plan that everyone believes in and feels part of.
Collaboration has replaced siloed working, with new confidence and shared behaviours making decisions faster, fairer and more inclusive. Leaders describe a renewed sense of trust and purpose.
Reducing A&E Pressure Through Behaviour Change
This work showed that ownership builds trust. When people see their voice reflected in the plan, collaboration becomes more than an ambition. It becomes the way the system works. Open conversations and shared behavioural principles now anchor progress, giving partners confidence that lasting change is not only possible, but already underway.
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“I am now getting invited to meetings that I have not been able to get a seat at for the last 5 years” - Senior Leader, VCFSE
Strategic Alignment
Co-created, clear People Plan, with commitment
System Collaboration
Working beyond the NHS to deliver for communities
94%
Increased confidence in a cohesive system vision & purpose
“Can I just say a heartfelt thank you for yesterday because it really was an inspiring event. The ICB element of the workshop was ‘gold’ and really proved that we want a system focus moving forwards.”
Chief People Officer
Black Country ICB
