Integration between health and social care has been much promoted as an answer to many of the challenges we face in both sectors including the fragmented nature of services, and the lack of joined-up support provided to people. Progress has often been limited. Previous attempts to integrate have become unstuck because they have overly focused on structural and organisational changes as the solution, rather than starting with the person being supported and their specific and often complex needs and aspirations. By prioritising the person at the heart of integration, we want to foster collaboration and ensure that support—whether in adult social care, housing, healthcare or community resources—works together to support the person.

Therefore, making integration a reality – starting with the person is focused on prioritising the person at the heart of the structural and organisational changes to support integration.