The Adult Care and Public Health Scrutiny Committee met on Wednesday 3 June 2026 to discuss the Housing Related Support (HRS) Service, review lessons learned from the previous winter, and consider the committee's work programme. Key decisions included approving a four-month extension to the HRS contract to allow for further discussions on joint funding with district councils and noting the effectiveness of the winter plan while identifying areas for improvement.

Housing Related Support (HRS) Service

The committee considered a report on the Housing Related Support (HRS) Service, which provides support to vulnerable adults with mental health and/or substance use needs who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. The current contract was due to expire on 31 March 2027. However, a recent letter from the leaders of all seven district councils indicated their receptiveness to exploring joint funding options for the service.

To allow time for these discussions, a four-month extension to the current contract, from 1 April 2027 to 31 July 2027, with a value of £734,000, was proposed. This extension would be funded from the Public Health Grant. Councillor Mrs Susan Woolley raised concerns about the lack of concrete commitments from the district councils beyond expressing receptiveness and questioned the financial implications for the districts. Martin Samuels, Executive Director for Adult Care and Community Wellbeing, clarified that while discussions were ongoing, no commitment had yet been made by the districts.

The committee also discussed the potential adjustments to the service delivery model to remain within budget, with Anne-Marie Scott, Assistant Director of Public Health, explaining that these adjustments would focus on the delivery method rather than reducing the level of support provided to individuals. Councillor Karen Elizabeth Lee expressed concerns that this situation was an ideological attack by the reformed administration, drawing parallels with the previous decision to abolish adult public health services. Councillor Mrs Marianne Jane Overton MBE questioned the impact of these adjustments on individuals with high needs.

The committee voted to approve the four-month extension of the HRS contract, acknowledging that this decision was not on the future of the service itself but on the extension of the current contract to allow for further exploration of funding options.

Lessons from Winter

The committee reviewed the Lessons from Winter report, which detailed the performance of the Adult Social Care Winter Plan for 2025/26. Andrea Kingdom, Head of Hospitals and Special Projects, presented the report, highlighting that despite an early rise in influenza pressures, the service remained resilient and supported 5,534 safe and timely discharges across four hospital trusts. No surge or super-surge measures were required.

Key successes included the effective functioning of the Home-Based Reablement Service (HBRS), which delivered 23,324 more hours than forecasted, and the Active Recovery Beds, which demonstrated a significant return on investment. The report also noted the positive impact of the St Barnabas Community Care Nurse Specialists in facilitating transfers from adult social care funding to health funding, resulting in cost savings.

However, areas for improvement were identified, including less consistent system-wide forums due to changes within the Integrated Care Board (ICB) and issues with transport and medication delays impacting discharges. The report also highlighted the need for stronger oversight and governance of referrals into the HBRS.

Councillor Kelham Cooke questioned whether the increased hours delivered by HBRS reflected exceptional winter demand or a structural increase in need, and how this would be incorporated into future planning. Andrea Kingdom explained that the early start to the influenza season necessitated increased service use, and that analysis was ongoing to inform future budget planning and reprocurement of the HBRS.

The committee unanimously agreed to note the delivery of the winter plan, acknowledge its impact on discharge flow and admission avoidance, and review the learning that will inform planning for Winter 2026/27.

Adult Care & Public Health Scrutiny Committee Work Programme

Kiara Chatziioannou, Health Scrutiny Officer, presented the committee's work programme. She noted that due to the extensive discussions anticipated around the short breaks re-commissioning plan and the CQC report, adjustments would be made to the agenda for the 29 July 2026 meeting. Members were encouraged to suggest additional items for inclusion in the work programme.

Councillor Kelham Cooke specifically requested confirmation that the short breaks item would remain the primary focus for the December meeting. Councillor Mrs Marianne Jane Overton MBE suggested that visits to the short breaks facilities might be better scheduled earlier in the consultation period. Martin Samuels, Executive Director for Adult Care and Community Wellbeing, indicated flexibility in scheduling these visits.

The committee unanimously approved the planned work programme, subject to the highlighted considerations.