The Health and Wellbeing Board of Newham Council was scheduled to discuss the Better Care Fund, an update on SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) improvements, and strategic approaches to meeting the needs of the Newham population. Other items on the agenda included noting the HealthWatch Newham Annual Report, annual reports on safeguarding partnerships, and a response to recommendations from a scrutiny commission report on maternity services. The board was also scheduled to review an early draft of the 50 Steps 2.0 strategy.

Better Care Fund

The Board was scheduled to be asked to approve the next steps for the Better Care Fund submission. The Better Care Fund is a jointly commissioned fund between NHS England and the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, designed to improve health and social care outcomes for adults. It aims to support the integration of health and social care services, ensuring that people receive the right care in the right place at the right time.

SEND Improvement Update

This standing item on the agenda was scheduled to provide an update on the progress made against the Written Statement of Action for SEND improvements. The Written Statement of Action is a plan developed by local authorities and their partners in response to findings from an inspection by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) and Ofsted, outlining how they will address areas of weakness in their SEND services. The discussion was also set to cover identified areas of risk and challenge within these improvements.

NEL ICS Strategic Approaches to Meeting Newham Population Need

This standing item was scheduled to present a report on the strategic approaches being taken by the North East London Integrated Care System (NEL ICS) to address the health and wellbeing needs of the Newham population. Integrated Care Systems (ICSs) are partnerships of health and care organisations, including the NHS, local authorities, and other partners, that come together to plan and deliver joined-up health and care services for their populations. The Board was asked to note the contents of this report.

HealthWatch Newham Annual Report 2022/2023

As part of its standing items, the Board was scheduled to receive and note the HealthWatch Newham Annual Report for the 2022/2023 period. Healthwatch is the independent statutory champion for people who use health and social care services, working to ensure that people's views and experiences are heard and influence the services they receive.

Safeguarding Partnerships (Adults & Childrens) Annual Report 2022/23

The Board was scheduled to note the annual report for 2022/23 concerning safeguarding partnerships for both adults and children. Safeguarding is the process of protecting vulnerable people from abuse or neglect. These reports typically detail the work undertaken by the respective safeguarding boards to ensure the safety and wellbeing of children and adults at risk within the borough.

Response to Recommendations in the Health and Adult Social Care Scrutiny Commission Report on Maternity Services

This agenda item was scheduled for noting and concerned the response to recommendations made by the Health and Adult Social Care Scrutiny Commission regarding maternity services. Scrutiny commissions play a vital role in holding local authorities and their partners to account by reviewing services and making recommendations for improvement.

50 Steps 2.0 Early Draft Strategy

The Board was scheduled to review an early draft of the 50 Steps 2.0 strategy. The agenda indicated that the Health and Wellbeing Board (HWBB) was asked to provide feedback and comments on the draft strategy's themes and steps, as well as on the accountability mechanisms for delivering these steps.

Election of the Deputy Chair

The election of a Deputy Chair for the municipal year was scheduled to be deferred from the previous meeting. The Health and Wellbeing Board is established under Section 194 of the Health and Social Care Act 2012¹ to ensure appropriate joint working and the implementation of changes arising from proposals to strengthen the local democratic legitimacy of the NHS.