The Health and Social Care Select Committee were scheduled to discuss adult social care, the annual performance report, and the cabinet forward plan at their meeting. The committee was also expected to review adult social care early intervention and prevention, and to consider their work programme for the year.

Annual Performance Report 2024/25

The committee was scheduled to review the council's performance across health and social care, as detailed in the Annual Performance Report 2024/25. The report outlined the performance cycle and corporate performance for 2024/25. Key areas of focus within Adult Social Care and Health (ASC&H) included managing increasing demand, adapting to legislative changes such as the Care Act, and improving access to information through digital tools.

The report highlighted several key actions taken to manage demand:

• Transformation of the front door through the Single Point of Access (SPA) and Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH).
• Expansion of reablement services to promote recovery and reduce long-term dependency.
• Timely submission of the Better Care Fund (BCF) Assurance document to secure funding.
• Collaborative work with care providers to manage inflationary pressures and maintain market stability.

Performance data in the report indicated that while the number of unique clients receiving home care had declined, the total number of services provided to clients had increased, reflecting the growing complexity of needs. Survey results showed that service users reported a good quality of life and control over their daily lives, but carer satisfaction was mixed.

The report also included public health data, including statistics on the prevalence of overweight children, physical activity levels, and adults who walk or cycle for travel purposes.

The report also touched on the upcoming Local Government Outcomes Framework (LGOF), which is scheduled to launch in April 2026. The LGOF aims to create a clearer and more consistent picture of how well councils are supporting their communities by focusing on results that matter most to local people.

Review of Adult Social Care Early Intervention and Prevention

The Health and Social Care Select Committee was scheduled to hold its fourth witness session as part of its review into early intervention and prevention services for adults. Representatives from several organisations were expected to attend, including:

• Linda Andrew, Chief Executive of Carers Trust Hillingdon & Ealing (lead provider)
• Rachel Irving & Becci Morris, Lead Therapists at Give Space
• Jane Wheeler, Chief Executive of Harlington Hospice
• Angela Stango, Chief Executive, and Evelyn Cecil, Deputy Chief Executive, of Hillingdon Mind

The session was intended to allow members to explore the Carer Support Service in more depth. According to the Adult Social Care Early Intervention and Prevention – 4th Witness Session report, the Carer Support Service aims to support children and adults who provide unpaid care to residents. The contract for this service was awarded to Carers Trust Hillingdon and Ealing, as the lead organisation for the Hillingdon Carers Partnership (HCP).

The report summarised the dimensions of the Carer Support Service contract, including:

• Information, advice and support
• Development and maintenance of a carer register
• Provision of a home-based short breaks (replacement care) service
• Access to recreational activities
• Provision of counselling and emotional support
• Developing a young carers' programme
• Undertaking carers assessments
• Empowering the carer voice
• Securing external investment

The report also included a summary of the roles and responsibilities of HCP members.

Cabinet Forward Plan Monthly Monitoring

The committee was scheduled to monitor the Cabinet's latest Forward Plan, which sets out key decisions to be taken by the Cabinet and individual Cabinet Members over the coming year. As part of its terms of reference, the committee was expected to consider the Forward Plan and comment on items relating to services within its remit. The Cabinet Forward Plan included items such as reports from select committees, public previews of matters to be considered in private, and decisions related to the Rural Activities Garden Centre, The Hillingdon Care Company Ltd, and contract awards for Deprivation of Liberties Service Contracts and Advocacy Services.

Work Programme

The committee was scheduled to consider its Work Programme for the year and agree any amendments. The Work Programme included a list of meeting dates for the 2025/2026 municipal year, as well as a schedule of review topics and regular service and performance monitoring items.