The Health and Adult Social Care Scrutiny Committee of Waltham Forest Council was scheduled to discuss the current state of Adult Social Care and Public Health services within the borough. The meeting also included a review of the committee's work plan and outstanding actions.

Introduction to Adult Social Care in Waltham Forest

The committee was scheduled to receive an overview of the services provided by Adult Social Care (ASC) in Waltham Forest. This report aimed to outline service priorities, major challenges and risks, and upcoming national policy changes. It was intended to provide members with a comprehensive understanding of how ASC is organised, its current performance, and its strategic direction for improvement and transformation. The presentation was set to cover the organisational structure, core operational functions, key service areas such as Care Management and Learning Disability services, Home First and Provider Services, Safeguarding and Quality Assurance, and Adult Early Help and Supported Employment. The role of commissioning, the Adult Social Care Transformation Programme, and the Care Quality Commission (CQC) assessment were also to be detailed. The report highlighted the legislative and policy context, including the Care Act 2014, the Mental Health Act 1983, Amended 2007, and the Mental Capacity Act 2005.

Introduction to Public Health

The committee was scheduled to receive an overview of Public Health services in Waltham Forest, focusing on the Local Authority's statutory duty to Improve the health of their local population. The report was to detail how this is achieved through directly commissioning services, leading partnership working, 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 healthcare system towards neighbourhood health, and alignment with the council's Mission Waltham Forest initiative. Challenges and risks, including NHS changes and financial pressures on the Public Health budget, were also to be discussed. The report was to reference national policies such as the NHS 10 Year Plan, Fit for the Future , the Tobacco and Vapes Act (2026), and the Health Bill (2026).

The Scrutiny Report

This item was scheduled to provide an update on the committee's work plan and outstanding actions. Members were invited to review suggested items for the 2026/27 forward plan and make additional suggestions. The report was to include an Action Tracker, detailing tasks requested of officers, and a Recommendations Tracker, outlining the committee's conclusions on service improvements. The committee was to review and approve responses to previous actions and recommendations. The report also listed key decisions falling under the committee's remit that were to be presented to the Cabinet Forward Plan.

The committee's draft work programme for the next municipal year was also to be discussed, with items including an overview of the Tobacco and Vaping Strategy, an update on End of Life Care Services, a report on alcohol-related issues, a refresh of the Combating Drugs strategy, an update on the CQC Improvement Plan, the ICB Medium-Term Plan, and discussions on drug shortages at Barts Hospital. Other potential items included the Homecare and Reablement Framework Procurement, the Whipps Cross Centre of Excellence, the Neighbourhood Health Plan, and the Minimum Income Guarantee (MIG).