The Health & Wellbeing Board and ICB Sub-Committee met on Tuesday, 7 November 2023, to discuss the Safeguarding Adults Annual Report, the system planning cycle for 2024/25, and a business case for additional capacity in children and young people's therapy services. The meeting also addressed feedback from a development session on localities working and the establishment of a task and finish group to explore the creation of a fourth locality.

Safeguarding Adults Annual Report 2022/23

The Board received the Barking and Dagenham Safeguarding Adults Board (SAB) Annual Report for 2022/23. The report highlighted the SAB's priorities, including support for hoarding and self-neglect, multi-agency learning, preparation for CQC regulation, integration with children's social care, developing interfaces with the NHS North East London Integrated Care Board (NEL ICB), and creating a community safeguarding offer. Data presented showed 1,511 adult safeguarding concerns were raised, with 17% leading to a Section 42 enquiry. Concerns were raised about the low referral rate from agencies like the police and the disproportionate number of white adults referred, suggesting a need for more targeted information for minority ethnic groups. Discussions also touched upon the impact of the cost of living crisis, the transition of young people into adult social care, the importance of clear communication around safeguarding, and the vulnerabilities of the 18-25 age group. The Board resolved to note the report and contribute comments for the SAB's future planning.

System Planning Cycle 2024/25

Sharon Morrow, Director of Partnership, Impact and Delivery for NEL ICB, presented the approach to refreshing the Joint Forward Plan (JFP) for 2024/25. This plan integrates local priorities such as long-term conditions, obesity and smoking, the best start in life, ageing well, and estates. The process aims to align planning with financial recovery, develop a system approach to prioritisation, and mitigate risk. A new Planning Steering Group has been established to guide this process. Members stressed the importance of assessing the impact of plans and ensuring better integration across different strategies. The Board resolved to endorse the approach to reviewing local plans and note the reporting and governance timelines.

Business Case: Additional Capacity in Children and Young People's Therapy Services

Elaine Allegretti, LBBD Strategic Director for Children and Adults, presented a business case for enhancing therapy services for children and young people in Barking and Dagenham. A demand and capacity review identified a significant deficit in therapy capacity, particularly for speech and language therapy (SLT), occupational therapy, and physiotherapy, leading to long waiting times. This is exacerbated by Barking and Dagenham's growing child population and high levels of deprivation. The business case requests recurrent funding of £923,797 to recruit 10 additional SLT therapists and four occupational therapists and physiotherapists. Members discussed recruitment challenges, the disparity in inner and outer London pay rates, and the importance of early intervention. The Board resolved to endorse the business case and recommend its approval to the NHS North East London Investment Committee.

Feedback from Development Session: Localities Working - Developing the Footprints

Sarah Carter, LBBD Head of Borough Partnerships, summarised discussions from a development session on localities working. Currently, Barking and Dagenham is divided into three localities (East, West, and North). Given the borough's population growth, particularly in the south, and rising demand, partners discussed the need to reconsider these footprints. Six principles were agreed upon: being people-centred, data-informed, equitable, efficient, collaborative, and positive towards change. It was proposed to establish a time-limited task and finish group to explore the creation of a fourth locality in the south of the borough. Observations included the need to re-evaluate ward boundaries, factor in community-based localities, and continue lobbying for additional funding. The Board resolved to agree the establishment of this task and finish group.

The meeting also included a brief mention of training workshops for identifying hidden carers and a request for a detailed report on challenges faced by the London Ambulance Service at the next meeting.