Strategic Partnerships to Improve Child Health and Tackle Child Poverty

The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) is seeking strategic partners to collaborate on improving health outcomes for children living in poverty in England. This is a value-in-kind partnership opportunity with no dedicated funding available. Up to ten proposals will be selected based on scoring criteria and invited to negotiate formal partnerships. Partners can apply individually or form consortia, with a lead organisation acting as the single point of contact. Responses close 23:59 on Monday 3 August 2026. The partnership focuses on addressing wider determinants of health such as access to affordable nutritious food, mental health support, education, and physical activity opportunities. DHSC is looking for scalable, innovative solutions that help families access healthy choices and reduce the impact of the cost-of-living crisis. Proposals will be scored 0-4 across four questions assessing alignment with the Child Poverty Strategy, feasibility, expected impact, DHSC policy alignment, innovation, and political priorities. Participation does not obligate either party to enter a formal agreement.