The People Overview & Scrutiny Committee is scheduled to discuss the Oxfordshire Safeguarding Adults Board's annual report, an update on the Council's Connect to Work programme, and the response to the Care Quality Commission's assessment of Adult Social Care. The committee will also review its forward work plan and consider responses to previous scrutiny recommendations.

Oxfordshire Safeguarding Adults Board Annual Report 2025-26

The committee is scheduled to consider the Oxfordshire Safeguarding Adults Board (OSAB) Annual Report for 2025-26. This report details how the Board and its partner organisations fulfilled their statutory safeguarding responsibilities between April 2025 and March 2026. It highlights progress made despite system changes, including NHS reorganisation and national reforms to adult safeguarding. The report covers the Board's strategic plan, governance enhancements, quality assurance framework, and its programme of Safeguarding Adults Reviews and Homeless Mortality Reviews. It also notes the increasing demand for safeguarding services, with 10,865 safeguarding concerns recorded in Oxfordshire during the year. The report is intended to provide assurance that safeguarding partners are working effectively to protect adults at risk of abuse and neglect.

Update on the Council's Connect to Work Programme

An update on the Council's Connect to Work programme is scheduled for discussion. This Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) funded programme aims to support eligible Oxfordshire residents who face significant barriers to employment. The programme is designed to help participants access, secure, and sustain meaningful employment, while also assisting employers in creating inclusive opportunities. The report outlines the local design and implementation of the programme, which is being delivered by Oxfordshire County Council and Enterprise Oxfordshire. It details the referral pathways, eligibility arrangements, employer engagement strategies, and governance processes. The programme has reportedly had a successful start, performing strongly against key performance indicators. The report also discusses how the Council is ensuring equitable access to the scheme, including support for young jobseekers and migrant jobseekers, and the role of employment specialists in supporting employers with reasonable adjustments.

Response to the Care Quality Commission Assessment and Improvement Programme

The committee is set to review the Council's response to the Care Quality Commission (CQC) assessment of its Adult Social Care services, which was published in September 2025. While the CQC rated Oxfordshire County Council as Good overall, four areas were identified as requiring improvement: Assessing Needs, Supporting People to Lead Healthier Lives, Equity in Experience and Outcomes, and Care Provision, Integration and Continuity. This report details the progress made since the assessment and the Council's approach to addressing these areas through the established Adult Social Care Improvement Programme (ASCIP). ASCIP aims to coordinate improvement activities, monitor progress, and demonstrate sustained improvements in resident outcomes. The report highlights specific changes made in response to the CQC's findings, such as redesigned assessment forms, a dedicated team for people with learning disabilities, and improved hospital discharge pathways.

Committee Forward Work Plan

The committee is scheduled to agree its work programme for forthcoming meetings. This involves reviewing and potentially amending the planned topics for future sessions, taking into account the Cabinet Forward Plan and the Budget Management Monitoring Report.

Committee Action and Recommendation Tracker

The committee will be asked to note the progress of previous recommendations and actions arising from earlier meetings. This involves reviewing the status of actions agreed upon in previous sessions.

Responses to Scrutiny Recommendations

The committee will consider the Cabinet's responses to recommendations made by the People Overview and Scrutiny Committee on two previous reports: Domestic Abuse - Safe Accommodation Provision and Consultation on Proposed Changes to Adult Social Care Contributions Policy. The committee is asked to note these responses.