Better data in Bradford

28 November 2025

Richard Scholes, SystmOne product specialist at Better Start Bradford, provides an overview of how TPP's SystmOne software was implemented and how it improved data recording, staff skills and district-wide systems change.

Overview of SystmOne implementation

The Better Start Bradford programme used SystmOne to record and extract data for a wide range of projects, including:

• Baby Steps
• Breastfeeding Support
• Talking Together
• Incredible Years

This process had challenges but ultimately resulted in valuable, high-quality data for evaluating each service.

The value beyond data quality

While SystmOne improved data quality and data sharing, it also generated wider benefits for staff, partner organisations and Bradford's systems landscape.

Upskilling non-clinical staff

Most Better Start Bradford staff were non-clinical and had little or no experience with SystmOne. This meant a steep learning curve as they learned to:

• record referrals, contacts and assessments
• balance service delivery with accurate data entry
• understand how data contributes to evaluation

Staff engagement was strengthened by Better Start Bradford's partnership approach, which emphasised the importance of evaluation during project design.

The emergence of super users

As staff grew more confident, many developed advanced skills. This included the emergence of 'super users' who:

• became highly proficient in SystmOne
• supported peers with troubleshooting
• learned reporting features to monitor and improve data quality
• extracted data for KPIs and organisational reporting

Benefits of upskilling

The upskilling of staff produced several positive outcomes, including:

• individuals progressing into data-oriented roles
• partner organisations gaining confidence to bid for contracts requiring clinical system experience
• successful tenders bringing in new income and supporting staff retention

Supporting district-wide systems change

As Better Start Bradford's evaluation work concluded, there was an opportunity to share SystmOne expertise with Bradford District Care NHS Foundation Trust (BDCFT).

In early 2025, BDCFT began a major overhaul of SystmOne units in Children's Services to:

• improve data quality
• reduce time spent on data entry
• provide more accessible monitoring information for managers

Better Start Bradford was able to offer specialist support, working alongside BDCFT's clinical systems team and service leads.

Improvements delivered with BDCFT

The collaboration focused on using SystmOne features such as:

• visualisations, making templates and information more accessible for health visiting staff
• automated protocols, which flagged issues and reminders to reduce manual checking

The changes have already:

• saved significant time for health visitors
• improved data quality for reporting to commissioners
• increased staff confidence and enthusiasm for the new workflows

Looking ahead

Better Start Bradford's commitment to partnership working and system-wide learning continues to influence practice across the district.

Richard hopes that the skills gained through Better Start Bradford, and the improvements delivered with BDCFT, will contribute to:

• a joined-up child record across Bradford and beyond
• better tools and capacity for healthcare staff
• improved care for parents and young children across the district

About A Better Start

A Better Start is a 10-year project set up by The National Lottery Community Fund, the largest community funder in the UK.

Sign up to join the A Better Start mailing list.

Read learning updates from across our programme.

The National Children's Bureau is coordinating an ambitious programme of shared learning for A Better Start, sharing the partnerships' experiences in creating innovative services so that others working in early childhood development or place-based systems change can benefit.

The National Children's Bureau - A Better Start