The Adult Social Care and Communities Scrutiny Committee's meeting on Tuesday 21 July 2026 was scheduled to cover a range of important issues affecting residents. Key topics planned for discussion included an update on the county's sexual health services, a review of the Making Every Adult Matter framework, and reports on public health and adult social care performance. The committee was also scheduled to consider the work plan for future meetings.

Making Every Adult Matter (MEAM) Update

The committee was scheduled to receive an update on the Gloucestershire Making Every Adult Matter (MEAM) Framework. This framework aims to improve outcomes for individuals facing severe and multiple disadvantages. The committee had previously received a detailed presentation on this topic in September 2025.

Sexual Health Services

An update on sexual health services in Gloucestershire was scheduled for discussion. The report pack outlined plans to:

• Describe the current commissioning responsibilities and the sexual health services commissioned for the county.
• Note the progress of a Gloucestershire Sexual Health Needs Assessment.

The report highlighted that sexual health is a crucial aspect of overall wellbeing, encompassing not only the prevention of disease but also the promotion of positive sexual health and relationships. The Health and Social Care Act 2012 established a division of responsibilities for commissioning sexual health, reproductive health, and HIV services between local government, NHS commissioners, and NHS England. National policies, including the Framework for Sexual Health Improvement in England (2013) and the HIV Action Plan for England (2025–2030), shape local service provision.

The report detailed various local services, including the Integrated Sexual Health Service, which focuses on vulnerable individuals such as young people under 25 and adults at risk. This service offers face-to-face clinical support and an online platform for advice and free STI testing for asymptomatic individuals. The Eddystone Trust was commissioned to provide outreach services, including condom distribution, HIV testing, and support for people living with HIV. Long-Acting Reversible Contraception (LARC) is commissioned through General Practice, with all GP practices in Gloucestershire signed up to the LARC Public Health Enhanced Service. Additionally, Additional Sexual Health Clinics (ASHCs) have been commissioned in certain General Practices to increase access in rural areas. The council also commissions the Young Parents' Service and the Postnatal Contraception Service from Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) is a statutory part of the curriculum, with the Gloucestershire Healthy Living and Learning (GHLL) programme supporting schools in delivering RSE.

The Sexual Health Needs Assessment (SHNA) aimed to assess the sexual health needs of Gloucestershire residents, describe existing services, and identify any unmet needs. Key findings from the assessment indicated that while Gloucestershire generally performs well against national sexual health indicators, there are areas requiring further attention. The report noted a decline in pupils reporting sexual intercourse, but also a concerning minority not using protection. Knowledge of Emergency Hormonal Contraception (EHC) was found to be lower among secondary pupils, and provision through community pharmacies was declining. Under 18 and under 16 conception rates were similar to the South West and lower than England. While LARC prescribing rates were higher than the South West and England, the report highlighted a lower overall burden of non-chlamydial STIs compared to the national picture. However, 64.7% of HIV diagnoses in Gloucestershire were made at a late stage, which is higher than regional and national averages. The report identified challenges such as stigma, fear of judgement, and access barriers, particularly for higher-risk communities.

Recommendations were to be made regarding establishing a Gloucestershire-wide Sexual Health Improvement Partnership and finalising the SHNA to develop an action plan focusing on partnership working, equity, resilience, and high-quality services.

Quarter 4 Performance Report 2025/26

The committee was scheduled to receive the Adult Social Care and Communities Performance Report for Quarter 4 of 2025/26, covering the period from 1 January to 31 March 2026. This report serves as an update on performance and allows members to ask questions.

Public Health Update

An overview of information relating to the delivery of Public Health Services in Gloucestershire was scheduled for discussion. This included a report titled 'Home is where our Health is' from the Director of Public Health, which examines the links between health and housing. The update also covered:

• Men B Vaccination Announcement: Information regarding a one-off targeted vaccination campaign for Summer/Autumn 2026 was to be provided, offering two doses of the Men B vaccine through pharmacies to specific age groups, including Year 13 students and those starting higher education in Autumn 2026.
• School Food Standards Consultation: The council's response to the government's consultation on reforming School Food Standards was to be discussed. The response supported the proposed standards, which aim to improve the nutritional quality of food provided throughout the school day, while highlighting the need for resources and addressing potential inconsistencies for nursery-aged children.
• Feeding Gloucestershire Website: The launch of a redesigned website for Feeding Gloucestershire, a food infrastructure organisation, was to be noted. The new site aims to connect people, projects, and partners to address food insecurity and improve access to nutritious food, featuring a Gloucestershire Community Food Map.
• The Pupil Wellbeing Survey (PWS): The 2026 delivery of Gloucestershire's countywide school-based survey on children and young people's health and wellbeing was to be discussed. The in-house delivery by Public Health, the Data, Analysis & Insights Team (DAIT), and Gloucestershire Healthy Living and Learning (GHLL) has increased school and pupil engagement. Thematic 'deep dive' reports on pupil mental health, SEND, and educational attendance were planned.
• Children's Online Safety and Social Media Consultation: The council's response to the government's consultation on children's online safety was to be presented. The response, informed by PWS data and national research, supported a precautionary approach to protecting children online, including a potential minimum age of 16 for social media access and phone-free schools.
• Director of Public Health Report 2025/26 'Home is where our Health is': This report was to highlight the significant impact of housing quality, affordability, security, and design on physical and mental health, and its role as a driver of health inequalities. It also outlines opportunities presented by Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) for multidisciplinary partnership working.
• Tobacco Control Strategy: The development of a new countywide Tobacco Control Strategy was to be discussed, in response to the Tobacco and Vapes Act 2026 and regional frameworks. The strategy aims to reduce smoking prevalence in Gloucestershire to 5% or lower by 2030, focusing on prevention, reducing illicit tobacco supply, minimising exposure to second-hand smoke, and supporting smokers to quit.
• Healthy Weight Strategy: The ongoing development of a 'Healthy Weight' strategy was to be outlined. This strategy aims to coordinate existing activities related to obesity prevention, including healthy places, active travel, healthy schools, healthy workplaces, and access to nutritious food, under a single plan with strengthened governance.

Adult Social Care Update

An overview of matters relating to the delivery of Adult Social Care in Gloucestershire was to be provided. This included:

• Update on CQC Inspections and GCC's Quality Assurance Framework: A report was to detail how adult social care quality is regulated and assured locally. It was to explain the role of the Care Quality Commission (CQC) as the national regulator and highlight how Gloucestershire County Council has strengthened its local Quality Assurance Framework (QAF) to provide broader, more timely oversight of both commissioned and non-commissioned services. The QAF aims to improve visibility of provider risk, increase assessment activity, and strengthen the council's ability to identify concerns earlier and support improvement.
• Update on the sale of/future use of the Great Western Court Reablement Unit: The report was to note that Great Western Court is identified for disposal, but other service areas have expressed interest in repurposing the property. Business cases and decision papers were being developed. The report was also to provide an update on staff affected by the closure, with information on employees having secured alternative employment and ongoing support being provided to the remaining staff.
• Mental Health Social Work Transition to GCC: The successful transition of the Mental Health Social Work (MHSW) service from Gloucestershire Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust (GHC) to Gloucestershire County Council on 1 June 2026 was to be reported. Information on staff settling in and operational delivery being maintained was to be included.
• Local Account/Adult Social Care Annual Report: The annual report, titled We Make the Difference That Matters, was on track for publication on 30 July 2026. The report aims to showcase the impact of Adult Social Care services, highlight achievements, and demonstrate accountability.

Work Plan

The committee was scheduled to note the dates of future meetings and agree the committee's work plan.