The Health and Social Care Scrutiny Commission is scheduled to consider several key reports concerning adult safeguarding, the quality of local social care services, and an update on a new care home development. The commission will also review its work programme.

Southwark Safeguarding Adults Board Report and Interview

A significant item on the agenda is the interview with Anna Berry, Independent Chair of the Southwark Safeguarding Adults Board (SSAB), and a review of the SSAB's annual report for 2024-2025. The report details the board's vision and purpose, which is to ensure that all adults at risk in Southwark are safe and protected from harm, working collaboratively to support them and their carers in making informed choices and living full, independent lives. The SSAB's membership comprises senior leaders from various statutory and non-statutory organisations, including Southwark Council, the NHS South East London Integrated Care Board (SEL ICB), and the Metropolitan Police Service. The report outlines the work of various subgroups, including those focused on Safeguarding Adults Reviews (SARs), learning networks, and quality and effectiveness. It also highlights partnerships with organisations such as the South East London Integrated Care Board, Guys and St Thomas NHS Trust, London Ambulance Service, and South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, detailing their contributions to safeguarding efforts. The SSAB's priorities for 2023-2026 include communication and involvement, strategic prevention and early intervention, making safeguarding personal, and learning development and assurance. The report also touches upon financial arrangements for the SSAB and core adult safeguarding data for 2024-2025.

CQC Report on Southwark Adult Social Care

The commission is also scheduled to review the Care Quality Commission's (CQC) assessment of Southwark's adult social care services, published on 27 February 2026. The CQC rated Southwark's adult social care services as Good overall. The assessment highlights strengths in areas such as assessing needs, supporting people to live healthier lives, equity in experience and outcomes, care provision, integration and continuity, partnerships and communities, governance, management and sustainability, and learning, improvement and innovation. However, the report also identifies areas for development, including timeliness of assessments and reviews, and some shortfalls in safeguarding practices, particularly concerning training uptake and the oversight of the local Safeguarding Adults Board. The report details the local authority's commitment to person-centred care, its understanding of local inequalities, and its efforts to build a sustainable care market. It also notes challenges such as waiting times for occupational therapy assessments and a backlog in Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) cases.

Asylum Road Care Home Update

An update on the Asylum Road Care Home project will be presented. This paper follows the approval in November 2025 to enter into a land transaction with Andover Care Ltd. The update focuses on the design workstream, which is progressing through the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) Plan of Work stages. A planning application is anticipated towards the end of RIBA Stage 3. The council will seek external specialist review of the designs, particularly concerning good design for residents with dementia. Consultation with various stakeholders, including voluntary sector groups, families of people in care homes, nursing home staff, and local residents, is also being compiled. The project is reported to be moving at pace and in line with anticipated timescales.

Safeguarding Scrutiny Review Headline Report

The commission will also consider a headline report on a safeguarding scrutiny review. Further details on the specific focus of this review are not provided in the agenda documents.

Cancer Prevention and Early Diagnosis Scrutiny Review Report

Another item for discussion is the report from a scrutiny review into cancer prevention and early diagnosis. The specific details of this report are not elaborated upon in the provided agenda.

Work Programme

Finally, the commission will review its work programme, which outlines future planned discussions and activities.