8
Not Addressed
Commission independent evaluation of the Community Mental Health Framework's implementation and impact.
Recommendation
We recommend that the Government changes its current approach and commission an independent and comprehensive evaluation of how the Community Mental Health Framework has been implemented and its impact by the end of the financial year. This should not be seen as drawing a line under the Framework, but as a necessary step in ensuring that the Government and NHS England deliver on its commitment of integrated, personalised, and coordinated care. Without such evaluation, there is a risk that gaps in implementation will persist and that future transformation efforts will lack the insight and learnings needed to succeed in all areas of the country. (Recommendation, Paragraph 74)
Government Response Summary
The government states it accepts the recommendation, but its response describes NHS England publishing new guidance on a 'personalised care framework' and the role of a 'named worker' within multidisciplinary teams. It does not address the specific recommendation to commission an independent and comprehensive evaluation of the Community Mental Health Framework's implementation and impact.
Government Response
Not Addressed
Government Response
Not Addressed
HM Government
Not Addressed
The government accepts this recommendation. The government has recognised concerns from patients and services about the role of the key worker or care coordinators. NHS England will publish new guidance, the personalised care framework, setting out the core aspects of care for people who require help from integrated primary care, secondary care mental health services and VCSFE organisations. The draft guidance has already been shared with systems to facilitate early adoption. This new guidance will outline the core principles of care that all people using NHS commissioned community mental health, crisis and inpatient services should: • have a care and support plan that is current and reflective of the needs of the person at that point • have a person within the service responsible for their care and support plan and for developing a trusted therapeutic relationship • be able to have their care and support plan reviewed when things change, as well as be able to quickly re-access help when they need to (such as when their mental health deteriorates following a period of stability) The new guidance sets out the critical function of a ‘named worker’ as having responsibility for: • building a trusted relationship with the person • supporting delivery of the care and support plan including co-ordinating the professionals, services and agencies needed to realise it Named workers are part of a multidisciplinary team (MDT) which has overall responsibility for the care and treatment of people within the service. Effective MDT working and associated systems, processes and values are critical to enabling the named worker to carry out their role.
Source
Committee
Health and Social Care Committee
Inquiry
Community Mental Health Services
Report
4th Report - Community Mental Health Services
02 Dec 2025
HC 566
Addressee Bodies
Department of Health and Social Care
Timeline
Recommendation age
0.7 yr
Report published
02 Dec 2025