The Health and Wellbeing Board is scheduled to consider a range of reports covering mental health, child safeguarding, and the Better Care Fund. Key discussions are expected to focus on improving mental health services, reviewing annual safeguarding reports for children and adults, and assessing progress on integrated health and social care initiatives.

Mental Health, Wellbeing and Resilience

A significant portion of the meeting is dedicated to an update on mental health, wellbeing, and resilience across County Durham. The report highlights that while the majority of residents report good mental health, challenges persist, particularly among those living in deprivation and for children and young people. The system ambition is to reduce self-reported anxiety by 10% by 2034. Key achievements in 2025 include the transition to a new Mental Health and Wellbeing System Partnership Board, the roll-out of a Mental Health Gateway across Primary Care Networks, and the launch of a refreshed Suicide Prevention Alliance Action Plan. However, current challenges include system instability due to ongoing reorganisation within NHS and local services, increasing demand for support with no additional resources, and service gaps, such as the closure of key voluntary and community sector organisations. The report outlines next steps, including the full implementation of the new Partnership Board, expansion of Mental Health Support Teams in schools, and the development of a Mental Health Emergency Department.

Durham Safeguarding Children Partnership Annual Report 2024-2025

The Board will receive the annual report from the Durham Safeguarding Children Partnership (DSCP). This report details the multi-agency safeguarding activities undertaken between April 2024 and March 2025, focusing on learning, impact, and improvements within the local safeguarding system. The DSCP's priorities for 2023-2025 included Domestic Abuse, Harm Outside the Home, the First 1001 Days, and Mental Health and Wellbeing. The report outlines key achievements, learning from serious incidents and reviews, and details the extensive training provided to the multi-agency workforce. Future priorities for 2025-2027 include Harm Outside the Home, Safeguarding Through Early Identification and Intervention, Trauma Informed Practice, and Working Together and Towards Reform Action Plan, aligning with the updated statutory guidance 'Working Together to Safeguard Children 2023'.

Child Death Annual Report 2024-2025

The County Durham and Darlington Child Death Overview Panel (CDOP) will present its annual report for 2024-2025. This report summarises the activity of the CDOP, which aims to improve the health, safety, and wellbeing of children and young people by reviewing child deaths. In the reporting period, 39 deaths were notified, and 33 cases were reviewed and finalised. Modifiable factors identified from these reviews include maternal obesity in pregnancy, smoking during pregnancy/household smoking, management of high-risk pregnancies, co-sleeping, parenting capacity, and timely access to services. The report highlights that modifiable factors were identified in 61% of reviewed cases. The Board is asked to note the report and consider any additional actions required to address the modifiable risk factors aligned with the Board's priorities, such as Making smoking history and Enabling Healthy Weight for All .

Transforming Care, Learning Disability Commissioning Strategy and Think Autism Strategy Update

An update will be provided on the local delivery and progress of the Transforming Care Programme, including the refresh of the Joint Health and Social Care Learning Disability Commissioning Strategy and the Think Autism Strategy for County Durham. The report notes that County Durham is focused on delivering Transforming Care objectives in line with NHS Long Term Plan commitments. Two key accommodation-based projects, Whitebeam Gardens and Hawthorn House Bluebell units, have been completed and are becoming operational, aiming to expand housing and support options and promote independence. The report acknowledges increasing complexity in Mental Health and Learning Disability services, driven by co-occurring conditions and increased demand, which places significant pressure on services and requires a joint approach across health and social care.

Better Care Fund 2025-26 Quarter Two Report

This report provides a summary of the Better Care Fund (BCF) 2025-26 Quarter 2 Template for Durham County Council. The BCF is a mandatory policy aimed at promoting integration across health, social care, and housing. The report assures the Board that the BCF continues to meet national requirements. Performance metrics are presented, including emergency admissions to hospital for people aged 65+, average days from discharge ready date to discharge, and admissions to long-term residential and nursing care homes for people aged 65+. While there is a variance in emergency admissions and discharge delays, performance in relation to permanent admissions to residential or nursing care homes is positive. Expenditure to date is consistent with tolerance levels.

Durham Safeguarding Adults Partnership Annual Report 2024-2025

The Board will receive highlights from the Durham Safeguarding Adults Partnership (DSAP) Annual Report for 2024-2025. The report indicates a decrease in reported safeguarding concerns, though an increase in formal safeguarding enquiries opened. Key learning has emerged from Safeguarding Adult Reviews (SARs) concerning individuals named Mary, Sarah, and Luke. Themes from these reviews include the need for improved interactions with vulnerable adults, prevention activity where compassion fatigue may occur, building on links with suicide prevention strategies, and enhancing the use and application of the Mental Capacity Act 2005. The report also outlines the DSAP's refreshed Strategic Plan for 2023-2026, focusing on Reflection and Innovation, Safeguarding Assurance, and Communication and Engagement.

Health and Wellbeing Campaigns

A presentation will be given on key campaigns planned for Summer, Autumn, and Winter 2025. These campaigns focus on Making smoking history, Reducing alcohol harms, Improving mental health, resilience and wellbeing, and Enabling healthy weight for all. Specific initiatives include Stoptober, Alcohol Awareness Week, World Suicide Prevention Day, and promoting physical activity. The campaigns aim to raise public awareness and encourage positive health behaviours across the county.