The Health and Adult Social Care Scrutiny Committee of Waltham Forest Council was scheduled to receive introductions to Adult Social Care and Public Health services within the borough. The committee was also set to review a report detailing the scrutiny function's work plan and outstanding actions.

Introduction to Adult Social Care in Waltham Forest

The committee was scheduled to receive an overview of Adult Social Care (ASC) services in Waltham Forest. This report, presented by Marc Gadsby, Strategic Director of Adult Services and Quality Assurance, aimed to outline service priorities, challenges, risks, and upcoming national policy changes. The presentation was expected to detail the organisational structure of ASC, its core operational functions under the Care Act 2014, and specific service areas including Care Management, Learning Disability services, Home First and Provider Services, Safeguarding and Quality Assurance, and Adult Early Help and Supported Employment. The report also intended to cover the role of commissioning, the Adult Social Care Transformation Programme, and the Care Quality Commission (CQC) assessment, which rated the council as Good overall but identified areas for improvement. The presentation was to conclude with a summary of the future operating model for ASC, focusing on stronger communities, a proactive prevention offer, and a modern, efficient service, alongside an overview of the legislative and policy context.

Introduction to Public Health

Joe McDonnell, Director of Public Health, was scheduled to present an overview of Public Health services relevant to the committee. The report aimed to outline service priorities, challenges, risks, and national policy changes. Public Health's core role is to improve the health of the local population and reduce inequalities, operating across five key areas: directly commissioning services (such as substance misuse, sexual health, and the healthy child programme), leading partnership working in public health areas, supporting wider determinants of health, influencing the wider health system, and fulfilling health protection duties. Priority areas for 2026/27 were to include key public health projects, support for the transformation of the health system towards neighbourhood health, and alignment with the council's Mission Waltham Forest objectives. Challenges identified included the impact of NHS changes and significant financial pressures on the Public Health budget.

The Scrutiny Report

Rosie Whillock, Acting Scrutiny Officer, was scheduled to present an update on the committee's work plan and outstanding actions. The committee was invited to review suggested items for the 2026/27 Forward Plan and make additional suggestions. The report also included an Action Tracker, detailing tasks requested of officers from previous meetings, and a Recommendations Tracker, outlining the committee's conclusions on service improvements. The committee was asked to review and approve these trackers and accompanying responses. The report also highlighted key decisions due to be taken by the Cabinet that fell under the committee's remit.

The committee's draft work programme for the 2026/27 municipal year was also presented, including potential items such as updates on the Tobacco and Vaping Strategy, End of Life Care Services, alcohol-related reports, the Combating Drugs Refresh, the CQC Improvement Plan, the ICB Medium-Term Plan, drug shortages at Barts Hospital, the Homecare and Reablement Framework Procurement, the Whipps Cross Centre of Excellence, the Neighbourhood Health Plan, and the Minimum Income Guarantee.