The Adult Care and Public Health Scrutiny Committee of Lincolnshire Council met on Wednesday, 25 March 2026, to discuss several key areas of adult social care. The committee reviewed and endorsed the Adult Social Care Delivery Plan for 2026-2028, which outlines a two-year roadmap for implementing the council's adult social care strategy. They also received an overview of the Early Action and Support Service, which focuses on preventative measures within adult social care, and discussed the extension of the Advocacy Services contract.

Adult Social Care Delivery Plan 2026-2028

The committee reviewed the Adult Social Care Delivery Plan for 2026-2028, which operationalises the council's adult social care strategy. The strategy aims to promote independence, resilience, and prevention, with a focus on safeguarding, early action, and digital integration. The plan details a phased, two-year roadmap for achieving these goals, organised around a Target Operating Model (TOM). This model prioritises early intervention before formal referral, a reablement-led response at the front door, personalised care plans focused on independence, and technology-enabled support. The committee was asked to endorse this plan as the mechanism for implementing the strategy.

Councillor James Bean asked about the timescale for someone contacting the service centre to receiving support, particularly if a full assessment was required. Theo Jarrett, Head of Early Action and Support, stated that for services like carer support and wellbeing services, it is typically within a week.

Councillor Mrs Susan Woolley commented that many of the softer services discussed, while not always statutory, are crucial for delaying the need for more expensive formal care. She requested that the council provide figures demonstrating the cost savings achieved by these preventative measures. Martin Samuels, Executive Director of Adult Care and Community Wellbeing, acknowledged this and explained that they are modelling three types of financial impact: true cost savings, cost avoidance, and cost shifting.

Early Action and Support Service Overview

The committee received an overview of the Early Action and Support Service, which forms the preventative arm of the Adult Care and Community Wellbeing Directorate. This service brings together various functions aimed at empowering individuals to manage their own needs or receive early intervention before reaching a crisis point. Key components include the Carers Service, Wellbeing Service, Information and Advice, Digital initiatives, and Community Opportunities.

The Carers Service supports approximately 6,000 unpaid carers in Lincolnshire, with plans to recommission the service ahead of its September 2027 end date. The Wellbeing Service, delivered by Wellbeing Lincs, aims to support around 10,000 people annually, with 99% of those supported not requiring formal social care within 12 months. The Information and Advice offer includes online platforms like Connect to Support Lincolnshire, which lists over 2,300 care providers and local events. Digital initiatives focus on self-help resources, technology-enabled care, and improving practitioner efficiency. The Community Opportunities programme has transformed traditional day centres into community hubs offering a range of activities and support.

Councillor Christopher John Reeve asked for a practical example of support for volunteers within the community hub model and how they are kept happy. Theo Jarrett explained that volunteers are supported with expenses and opportunities for training and qualifications, with safety checks and DBS checks in place.

Councillor Mrs Marianne Jane Overton MBE shared a personal account of a carer struggling to access respite and home care for his wife, highlighting the difficulties faced by those in dire situations. Martin Samuels assured her that the Carers Service is skilled in building trust and having difficult conversations, and that in such cases, a social work team and the carers support team would be involved.

Advocacy Services Extension

The committee considered a report recommending a six-and-a-half-month extension to the Lincolnshire Independent Advocacy Services contract with the provider Voiceability. This extension, valued at £639,243.38, is necessary to finalise the commissioning of future advocacy services, particularly in light of legislative changes such as the Mental Health Act 2025. The current contract has been performing well, often exceeding demand projections. The extension will ensure continuity of service while a comprehensive recommissioning exercise is completed.

Councillor Kelham Cooke asked about the differences introduced by the Mental Health Act 2025 and the potential increase in resource needs. Rachel West, Senior Strategy and Contract Manager for People's Services, explained that the Act may lead to more instances where people require advocacy support, and they are modelling the potential impact on demand and the length of support needed.

Councillor Mrs Susan Woolley raised concerns about the potential for other services to offer only adult or child advocacy, rather than the current joint commissioning model. Martin Samuels confirmed that the recommissioning process is a joint project involving both children's and adults' services, and the intention is to continue joint commissioning due to its benefits.

Housing Related Support Contract Extension

A report was presented regarding a proposed six-month extension to the Housing Related Support Service contract, valued at £1,101,000. This service provides short-term support to vulnerable adults experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness, with substance misuse or mental health concerns. The extension, from 1 October 2026 to 31 March 2027, is to ensure service continuity while future provision is decided upon by the Executive in June 2026.

Councillor Christopher John Reeve questioned why an extension was needed rather than having everything in place sooner. Carl Miller, Senior Strategic Commercial and Procurement Manager, explained that extensive work on future commissioning and public consultation had taken time, and the implementation of any decision would require more time than the remaining contract duration.

Councillor James Bean inquired about contingencies if forecasted increases in direct payment income did not materialise. Carl Miller clarified that the extension did not rely on projected increases from direct payment income and was at the continuation of the current contract value.

Service Level Performance Reporting

The committee reviewed the Service Level Performance for Adult Care and Public Health against the Performance Framework 2025-26 as at Quarter 3. The report indicated that three measures exceeded their target, nine achieved their target, and three did not meet their target.

For Adult Care and Specialist Adult Services, permanent admissions to residential and nursing care homes for those aged 65+ had increased to 1,049, exceeding the target of 950. This was attributed to a rise in self-funders. The number of people receiving long-term support who had been reviewed had fallen to 71.4%, below the target of 85%, due to a strategic decision to prioritise new assessments and reviews for those with higher needs. Reablement services continued to perform well, with 99.9% of completed episodes resulting in no or lower-level support. Safeguarding indicators remained strong, with 100% of cases supported by an advocate where appropriate.

In Public Health and Community Wellbeing, six indicators met or exceeded their targets, including the number of alcohol users successfully leaving specialist treatment and the percentage of people aged 40-74 receiving an NHS Health Check. The indicator for people supported to successfully quit smoking was below its annual target, although the new focus on the proportion of the local smoking population setting a quit date was being met. Carers supported in the last 12 months and those receiving a review of their needs also exceeded targets.

Councillor Mrs Marianne Jane Overton MBE raised concerns about the increase in admissions to care homes, particularly regarding self-funders and the potential for those relying on council funding to face difficulties. Martin Samuels explained that homes can charge self-funders what they choose, but if a person's funds run out, the local authority will assess their needs and determine the best placement. He also noted that while Lincolnshire is above the national average for residential admissions for those aged 65+, it is an outlier for working-age adults in residential homes, indicating a need for alternative housing provisions.

Adult Care and Public Health Scrutiny Committee Work Programme

The committee reviewed its forward work programme. Members requested that a report on alternatives to the Mental Health and Wellbeing Community Investment Fund and the implications of its funding withdrawal be added to the programme. The committee also noted that it was Hannah Colclough, Scrutiny Officer's, last meeting with them.

The committee moved to approve the planned work programme for 2026, subject to the consideration of the highlighted items.