The Health & Social Care Integration Joint Board met on Wednesday 5 August 2026 to discuss the Health and Social Care Partnership's Annual Performance Report for 2025/26 and the Medium Term Financial Plan for 2026/27 to 2030/31. The meeting also covered the financial monitoring position for the fourth quarter of 2025/26, the resourcing of an Equality, Diversity and Human Rights Function, and updates on the Children (Care, Care Experience and Services Planning) (Scotland) Act 2026 and the Coming Home Programme.

HSCP Annual Performance Report 2025/26

The Board was asked to consider and approve the Health and Social Care Partnership's Annual Performance Report for 2025/26. This report details performance against the Health and Social Care Strategic Framework 2023-26, outlining what was delivered against set priorities and looking ahead to priorities for 2026/27. The report includes information on performance in relation to the National Health & Wellbeing Outcomes, financial performance, and inspection of services.

2026/27 Medium Term Plan

A key item for discussion was the updated Medium Term Financial Plan for 2026/27 to 2030/31. The plan highlights ongoing financial pressures across both delegated and set aside services, with significant savings required from both Scottish Borders Council (SBC) and NHS services. The report indicates an anticipated overspend of £2.8m in delegated services and £3.7m in Set Aside services for 2026/27, even with planned savings. The Board was also to be appraised of ongoing work to clarify resource transfer requirements between NHS Borders and SBC, which is impacting the financial position.

Q4 2025/26 Financial Monitoring Position

The Board received an update on the financial position for the year ending 31 March 2026. The report indicated significant financial difficulties, with a total overspend of £11.824m across delegated and set aside services. Delegated services overspent by £6.490m, requiring additional payments from NHS Borders and SBC, while Set Aside services overspent by £5.334m. The report noted a marginal improvement on the previous financial year's overspend but highlighted the ongoing risk to the IJB's financial sustainability.

Resourcing an Equality, Diversity and Human Rights Function

A report was presented outlining the current risk associated with insufficient dedicated capacity for equality, diversity, and human rights work across NHS Borders and the Scottish Borders Health and Social Care Partnership. The paper sought support for a proportionate approach to strengthening this function, with a proposal for a 12-month fixed-term post to undertake scoping and improvement work. The estimated cost for this role was up to £75,000, to be funded from IJB reserves.

Children (Care, Care Experience and Services Planning) (Scotland) Act 2026

This report explained the implications of the Children (Care, Care Experience and Services Planning) (Scotland) Act 2026 for the Integration Joint Board. It confirmed that the Act strengthens the IJB's role in Children's Services Planning but does not involve additional delegation of children's services. The report noted that local arrangements already support IJB/HSCP involvement in the Children and Young People's Planning Partnership and the Children's Services Plan. The Chief Officer was to bring back a proposal in December 2026 detailing how the IJB could optimally contribute to these arrangements.

Scottish Borders Coming Home Programme Update

An update was provided on the progress of the Scottish Borders Learning Disability Service Coming Home Programme. While progress is being made, it is slower than anticipated due to challenges with housing availability, workforce capacity, and long-term funding. The report highlighted progress in housing development, provider commissioning, recruitment to an enhanced clinical team, and the use of the Community Living Change Fund. Housing availability was identified as the primary constraint on delivery timescales.

Integration Joint Board Voting Rights

The Board was advised of forthcoming legislative changes extending voting rights on Integration Joint Boards to lived experience members, including unpaid carers, service users, and third sector representatives. These changes are due to come into effect from 1 September 2026. The report outlined the implications of these changes and proposed that the Chief Officer and Board Secretary review these implications and report back with proposed changes to the IJB's governance and membership arrangements.

Audit Committee Minutes

The Board was asked to note the approved minutes of the IJB Audit Committee meeting held on 30 March 2026. The meeting had focused on the Internal Audit Annual Plan for 2026/27, a risk management update for 2025/26, the Annual Audit Plan for 2025/26, and Audit Scotland audit reports.

Strategic Planning Group Minutes

The Board was also asked to note the approved minutes of the Strategic Planning Group meetings held on 22 April 2026 and 17 June 2026. These meetings had focused on Care at Home Redesign, Tweedbank and Hawick Care Village developments, and the local housing strategy.