A report published today (26 Nov) shines the spotlight on innovative work led by NHS Birmingham and Solihull to improve the lives of children and young people.

The report has been produced by University College London’s Institute of Health Equity (IHE) on behalf of the Children and Young People’s Health Equity Collaborative (CHEC) - a partnership between children’s charity Barnardo’s, IHE, and three Integrated Care Systems – NHS Birmingham and Solihull, NHS Cheshire and Merseyside and NHS South Yorkshire.

The report highlights the urgent need to tackle the root causes of health inequity in childhood and how social determinants such as housing, education, and family income shape health outcomes and life chances.

The findings of the report - Born Unequal: Tackling the Root Causes of Health Inequity in Childhood - make clear that improving child health equity is not only a moral imperative but also an economic one, with lifelong benefits for individuals and communities.

It spotlights the work led by NHS Birmingham and Solihull Integrated Care System’s Procurement Collaborative to embed social value (SV) and corporate social responsibility (CSR) requirements into procurement processes.

The innovative work has seen the system direct resources and support toward children, young people, and their families without requiring additional public spending.

This has included increasing the SV weighting in contracts with suppliers of NHS goods and services from 10 percent to 20 percent, along with an initiative in partnership with Match My Project providing a digital platform matching the resources of suppliers with the local know-how of community organisations.

Through the platform, a number of projects have already had impact:

  • Birmingham Somali Action’s girls’ and boys’ football and basketball teams were having to travel outside of the city to find affordable training space. But now they have use of a supplier’s onsite gym and five-a-side pitch, while another has sponsored their kit and equipment.
  • A digital library has been set up, with suppliers donating their reconditioned tech for children and young people to borrow, including computers and tablets for homework, but also gaming stations and consoles.
  • An international MedTech supplier has delivered financial education to children in schools in some of the most deprived areas of Birmingham - including teaching the consequences of taking out payday loans and credit card debt. That team is now looking to deliver similar sessions in schools in Manchester, Glasgow, and Sheffield.
  • Teaming up with one of a hospital bed and mattress supplier, Barnardo’s and Birmingham Voluntary Services Council have been able to double the number of beds, mattresses and bedding available to families living in bed poverty across the city.

Simon Clarke, Managing Director of Birmingham and Solihull Integrated Care System’s Procurement Collaborative, was recognised for the social value work when he was named on 20 November as Leader of the Year at the Health Care Supply Association (HCSA) Annual Awards 2025.

He said: “While there is still much work to be done, this collaboration demonstrates what is possible when health systems, suppliers, and voluntary and community organisations work together. 

“By amplifying the voices of children and young people and strengthening partnerships, we can create the conditions for every child to thrive.

“We look forward to building on our work and learning and continuing to champion child health equity across Birmingham and Solihull.”

Danielle Oum, Chair of the NHS Birmingham and Solihull and NHS Black Country Integrated Care Boards Cluster, said: “In Birmingham and Solihull, one in three children live in poverty, and the impact on health and wellbeing is profound. 

“This report is a stark reminder that health starts long before a child enters a clinic or hospital with many children growing up in circumstances that limit their potential - poverty, poor housing, and lack of opportunity. 

“As an Integrated Care System, we are committed to tackling these root causes of inequality, not just treating illness. 

“We are pioneering an approach for sustainable, whole system change embedding social value into contracts with our suppliers, aligning procurement to our health inequalities strategy, and ensuring that every pound spent helps build healthier, fairer communities.”