The Adult Care and Well-Being Overview and Scrutiny Panel met on Monday, 9 March 2026, to discuss the delivery of the adult safeguarding model, review performance and budget monitoring for the 2025/26 financial year, and refresh the scrutiny work programme for 2026/27. Key discussions included the ongoing challenges and improvements in adult safeguarding, a detailed financial update revealing significant overspends in adult social care, and the prioritisation of future scrutiny topics.

Adult Safeguarding Model Update

The panel received an update on the delivery of the adult safeguarding model, noting a national increase in safeguarding concerns reported since the implementation of the Care Act 2014. Worcestershire has seen variability in its reporting trajectory, influenced by process changes and the introduction of the Liquid Logic electronic recording system. A 2022 self-assessment highlighted that the safeguarding team was under-resourced and the existing model was not fit for purpose. Consequently, a new model was launched in October 2023, introducing new teams and formalising the Enquiry Officer role. Feedback and an expert evaluation indicated that while the approach remained largely positive, improvements were needed in areas such as response times, waiting lists, and perceptions of excessive triaging. A comprehensive review of the new model was completed in September 2025, with an action plan developed to address identified improvements.

The Worcestershire Safeguarding Adults Board (WSAB) has representation from key organisations and uses safeguarding performance data and learning from Safeguarding Adults Reviews (SARs) to agree priorities. For 2026-2027, WSAB priorities include embedding the Complex Adult Risk Management (CARM) Framework, building on a proactive communication strategy, and developing the use of data to understand areas impacting safeguarding. WSAB also has three subgroups: Safeguarding Adult Reviews, Performance and Quality Assurance, and Learning, Development, Practice and Communications. The board continues to raise awareness through various methods, including its website, newsletters, and events.

Benchmarking data for 2024/2025 indicated that Worcestershire has a high-quality but low-quantity safeguarding profile, with strong practice quality but identification and reporting of concerns significantly below national averages. Oversight from WSAB is required to ensure safeguarding needs are consistently recognised, recorded, and progressed. Proposed actions include strengthening the response to hidden harm, addressing inequalities in access, reviewing referral quality, and reviewing Adult Front Door thresholds.

The report detailed the seven steps of Worcestershire's safeguarding journey, from reporting a concern to plan review. Improvements have been made to the reporting portal, with a new resident portal form set to go live on 9 March 2026. The Adult Front Door now screens concerns and provides advice, information, and signposting. Feedback mechanisms for those reporting concerns are being enhanced. The self-neglect pathway has been reviewed, and referrals are now directed to Social Work Teams initially. Decision-making within the Safeguarding Early Response Team is reported as consistent, with ongoing reviews of decision-making forms and team guidance. While the team can manage volume when fully staffed, absences can lead to waiting lists, managed through a risk-based approach. Arrangements for information sharing with partners are also being reviewed.

Safeguarding enquiries are undertaken to determine actions needed to ensure an individual's safety. Risk assessment and enquiry forms are being updated, along with guidance. The Safeguarding Enquiry Team quality assures completed enquiries. While outcomes are generally communicated, confidentiality can limit information provided to relatives. Safeguarding Plans are agreed and reviewed to ensure ongoing safety. Safeguarding Services maintain a Risk Register, with one action on the Council's Corporate Risk Dashboard concerning the increased demand for safeguarding and the risk of not protecting residents due to delays. The number of concerns waiting has been reducing, but sickness absence has caused a small waiting list for enquiries. Delays in progressing enquiries are also noted, with local target timescales not being met.

In conclusion, Worcestershire demonstrates strong safeguarding practice and a robust multi-agency response. The WSAB is active and data-driven. Benchmarking confirms the quality of practice once an enquiry begins is strong, but highlights a consistently low volume of activity compared to peers, suggesting some safeguarding needs may not be consistently recognised or reported. The review of the safeguarding model and audit findings have identified clear improvement actions. The system is in a transitional phase, moving towards embedding consistent, timely, and proportionate safeguarding responses.

Performance and 2025/26 In-Year Budget Monitoring

The panel reviewed performance information for Quarter 3 (October to December 2025) and the in-year budget monitoring for the 2025/26 financial year. The Directorate level scorecard for Adult Care and Well-Being Services was presented.

Performance Highlights:

• Admissions to Permanent Care (18-64): The result for December 2025 was 19.9 (71 people), rated Red against a target of 13.4. This indicates a significant gap between current performance and the target, attributed to a spike in admissions between February and April 2025, likely due to year-end purchasing pressures.
• Admissions to Permanent Care (65+): For December 2025, the result was 624.1 (923 people), rated Green against a target of 645.9. While currently on target, the numbers are slowly growing, and this indicator requires careful monitoring due to increasing pressures on preventing admissions and early discharge from hospital.
• Outcomes of Short-term Services: The result for December 2025 was 85.6%, rated Green against a target of 84%. Performance has been maintained, with Worcestershire performing above the national average and comparator authorities.
• People Aged 65+ at Home Following Rehabilitation: The result for March 2025 was 81.3%, rated Amber against a target of 83%. Performance has improved since December 2024, with neighbourhood teams showing more successful results in Quarter 4. However, the methodology for this indicator changed from April 2025, making local reporting unavailable.
• Annual Care Package Reviews Completed: For December 2025, the result was 78.8%, rated Red against a target of 95%. This is a local measure, and the target is challenging due to high demand and workforce pressures. Efforts are underway to develop trusted review models and explore the use of AI.

Financial Position:

The Quarter 3 forecast financial position for 2025/26 indicated an overall corporate breakeven position after the use of reserves and exceptional financial support. However, there are increased forecast overspends in demand-led areas of Adult Social Care and Children's Social Care.

Specifically for Adult Services, there was an overall forecast worsening overspend of £12.4 million. The most significant variances relate to the costs of placements (£15.2 million), partially offset by staffing underspends due to vacant posts. There has been a growth in client numbers and an increase in care costs for individuals already in service, demonstrating increasing care needs. Specific increases were noted in the costs of physical disability residential services (15.5%), learning disability residential care services (5.8%), and physical disability supported living placements (9.8%).

The report also highlighted a significant pressure on the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) due to High Needs spend, with a forecast deficit of £194 million by 31 March 2026. The Council's capital programme was reported at £644.8 million, with 70% funded externally.

Refresh of the Scrutiny Work Programme 2026/27

The panel was asked to consider suggestions for its 2026/27 Work Programme, which will be submitted to the Council for approval. The current 2025/26 Work Programme was provided as a reference. Panel members and stakeholders were invited to suggest topics for future scrutiny, which would be prioritised using feasibility criteria. These criteria include whether an issue is a priority for the Council, a key issue for local people, practicable to implement outcomes, likely to result in improvements, examines a poor-performing service, improves Council operations, or relates to new government guidance or legislation.

The remit of the Adult Care and Well-Being Overview and Scrutiny Panel covers Adult Social Care and Health and Well-being. The panel noted the dates of future meetings for 2026 and was asked to prioritise the draft 2026/27 Work Programme, while retaining flexibility for urgent issues.

The existing 2025/26 Work Programme included items such as the Delivery of Adult Safeguarding Model and Update, Performance and In-Year Budget Monitoring, and the Refresh of the Scrutiny Work Programme. Possible future items for scrutiny included the Adult Neurodiversity Team, updates on the Worcestershire Learning Disability Strategy, Care Navigation Hub, Joined-Up Review across Adult Social Care and All Age Disabilities, Transition of Children in Care to Adults, effectiveness of the 3 Conversations Approach, progress on Adult Social Care Co-production, Integrated Care System Autism Strategy, Market Position of Adult Social Care Availability, Domiciliary Care, Occupational Therapy Equipment, KPI Annual Care Package Reviews, Disabled Facilities Grants, Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards, Hospital Discharge Pathways, Early Intervention and Prevention Strategy, Adult Social Care Strategy, Transformation (Adult Social Care), and ensuring the commissioning process is effective. Standing items included the Worcestershire Safeguarding Adults Board Annual Update, Refresh of the Work Programme, Compliments and Complaints for Adult Services, and Budget Scrutiny. Quarterly performance and budget monitoring are also regular items.