The Health and Wellbeing Board received an update on the Better Care Fund (BCF) for 2023-2024 and discussed the development of Phase 4 of the Local Area Partnership (LAP). The Board also received presentations on a variety of topics, including the East Midlands Ambulance Service's (EMAS) new clinical strategy, the council's smoking and vaping programme, and the Ofsted inspection of Children's Services.

Better Care Fund

The Board received a report on the Better Care Fund (BCF) for 2023-2024. The BCF is a national programme that pools together funding for health and social care services. The report outlined the progress that had been made against the objectives of the BCF plan for 2023-2024.

Local Area Partnership

The Board discussed the development of Phase 4 of the Local Area Partnership (LAP). The LAP is a partnership between the council, the NHS, and other organisations that aims to improve the health and wellbeing of people in North Northamptonshire. The Board received a presentation on the progress that had been made in developing the Phase 4 plan.

The development of Phase 4 of the LAP is a key priority for the Board. The plan will set out how we will work together to improve the health and wellbeing of people in North Northamptonshire over the next five years.

The Board were presented with three options for how the LAP would operate in phase 4. The three options were:

1. A 'One LAP' approach, continuing with the three existing places (Corby, Kettering and Wellingborough)
2. A 'Two LAP' approach, with one LAP covering Corby and Kettering and the other covering Wellingborough and East Northamptonshire.
3. A 'Three LAP' approach, consisting of Corby, Kettering and a combined Wellingborough and East Northamptonshire.

The Board resolved to note the content of the report and the update provided on options for the future model for place based partnerships. The Board agreed to hold a workshop to discuss these in more detail in September 2024.

East Midlands Ambulance Service Clinical Strategy

The Board received a presentation from East Midlands Ambulance Service (EMAS) on their new clinical strategy. The strategy sets out how EMAS will deliver safe and effective ambulance services over the next five years. The presentation covered a range of topics, including:

• The challenges facing EMAS, such as increasing demand and workforce pressures.
• The key priorities of the clinical strategy, such as improving patient outcomes and reducing hospital admissions.
• The role of the Board in supporting the implementation of the clinical strategy.

Smoking and Vaping

The Board received an update on the council's smoking and vaping programme. The programme aims to reduce the prevalence of smoking and vaping in North Northamptonshire. The presentation covered a range of topics, including:

• The latest data on smoking and vaping prevalence in North Northamptonshire.
• The work that is being done to prevent young people from starting to smoke and vape.
• The support that is available to help people quit smoking and vaping.

Ofsted Inspection of Children's Services

The Board received a briefing on the recent Ofsted inspection of Children's Services. The inspection took place in May 2024 and the final report is due to be published in July 2024. The briefing provided an overview of the inspection process and the key findings.

The Board were told:

The inspection focused on the experiences and progress of children who need help and protection, children looked after by the local authority and care leavers.

The Board were also informed of the key areas for improvement which were identified during the inspection. They are:

• The quality of assessments and plans
• Management oversight of children subject to child protection plans
• Timeliness of decision making within the Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH)
• The effectiveness of the 'front door' arrangements for children's social care.