The Health and Wellbeing Board meeting scheduled for 14 October 2026 was set to review progress on the Joint Local Health and Wellbeing Strategy, with a particular focus on mental health. The Board was also scheduled to consider annual safeguarding reports for both adults and children, and to discuss the ongoing development of neighbourhood health and care services across Croydon.

Delivery of the Joint Local Health and Wellbeing Strategy

The Board was scheduled to receive quarterly updates on the progress of the Joint Local Health and Wellbeing Strategy¹. This strategy, which runs until 2029, outlines five key priorities for improving health and wellbeing in Croydon. The report was expected to detail activities undertaken by partnership subgroups aligned to these priorities and provide updates on key metrics.

A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to a Deep Dive into Priority 1: Good Mental Health and Wellbeing for All. This session was intended to provide an overview of the work being undertaken by various partners, including Croydon Council's Public Health and Adult Social Care teams, the South West London Integrated Care Board (ICB)², South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust (SLaM)³, the Croydon BME Forum⁴, and other collaborators. The aim was to highlight progress in promoting mental wellbeing, preventing mental illness, and supporting good mental health within communities, with a specific focus on reducing mental health inequalities. The agenda indicated that recommendations would include noting the progress made, considering opportunities to champion available interventions, and supporting partnership actions.

Croydon Safeguarding Annual Reports

The Board was scheduled to consider the annual reports for 2025/26 from both the Croydon Safeguarding Adults Board (CSAB)⁵ and the Croydon Safeguarding Children Partnership (CSCP)⁶. These reports cover the period from 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2026 and are intended to provide an assessment of the effectiveness of local safeguarding arrangements. The Board was asked to note the content of these reports and to consider whether they offered sufficient reassurance regarding the performance and effectiveness of both the CSAB and CSCP.

The CSAB report was expected to detail progress on its priorities, including self-neglect, homelessness, learning from Safeguarding Adult Reviews (SARs)⁷, systems, pathways and transitions, and multi-agency data sharing. The report was also to highlight the work of the Voice of the People subgroup, which aims to ensure the perspectives of residents are heard.

The CSCP report was intended to provide an assessment of the effectiveness of safeguarding arrangements, focusing on evidencing the impact of partnership activity. Key achievements highlighted were expected to include improvements in front-door safeguarding and multi-agency working, leading to better outcomes for children, such as reduced repeat referrals and fewer children on Child Protection Plans for extended periods. The report was also to cover learning from audits, quality assurance, workforce development, and the increasing visibility of children's voices in safeguarding processes. However, the report was also expected to acknowledge ongoing challenges, such as housing instability, workforce capacity, data quality, and partnership engagement.

South West London ICB Annual Report - Croydon Place Update

The Board was scheduled to receive an update on Croydon's contribution to the South West London ICB's annual report for 2025/26. This report focuses on how place-based partnership working is supporting local health and wellbeing priorities. The update was expected to highlight progress in three key areas: the transformation of Locally Commissioned Services (LCS) and PMS premium services in General Practice; the New Addington Community Diagnostic Centre⁸; and Croydon's participation in the National Neighbourhood Health Implementation Programme (NNHIP)⁹. The report was intended to demonstrate a focus on reducing health inequalities, shifting care from hospitals to the community, promoting prevention, strengthening integrated partnerships, and improving access to care. The Board was asked to note this update and to acknowledge that learning from the NNHIP pilot would inform future ways of working.

Neighbourhood Health and Care: National Neighbourhood Health Implementation Programme (NNHIP) and Planning for 2026/27

This item was scheduled to provide an update on the progress, outputs, and learning from Croydon's Neighbourhood Health test-and-learn programme. The programme aims to develop a consistent and scalable borough-wide approach to neighbourhood health and care. The Board was asked to endorse the priorities and direction of travel for Neighbourhood Health and Care in 2026/27 and to approve the proposed six neighbourhood footprints as the geographical framework for future development and delivery. This initiative is intended to support integrated working across health, social care, primary care, and the voluntary, community, faith, and social enterprise (VCFSE) sector¹⁰.

Health and Wellbeing Board Forward Plan

Finally, the Board was scheduled to review its Forward Plan, which outlines the work programme for future meetings and identifies items to address the Board's requirements. This plan is a live document that is regularly updated. The agenda indicated that the October meeting would include an overview of the Joint Local Health and Wellbeing Strategy, a deep dive into mental health, and updates on safeguarding reports and neighbourhood health. Future planned items included updates on the Better Care Fund¹¹, the Croydon Tobacco Control Strategy, the Anti-Racism Work Programme, and the Croydon Place and Integrated Care Board Annual Report.