The Scrutiny Review Panel - Technology-enabled care was scheduled to consider its procedure rules and the scope of its review into technology-enabled care in Stockport. The panel was also scheduled to begin its examination of the evidence, opportunities, and current position of technology-enabled care within the council's adult social care services.

Scrutiny Review Procedure Rules

The panel was scheduled to consider a report from the Chief Governance Officer and Chief Monitoring Officer outlining the Scrutiny Review Procedure Rules. These rules were recommended for agreement by the panel and would govern how the review was conducted. The report detailed aspects such as the appointment of a chair, the prohibition of substitute members to ensure consistency, the quorum for meetings, and the process for appointing co-opted members or advisers. It also outlined the standard business to be conducted at each meeting, including the consideration of minutes, declarations of interest, and agenda items. The rules also specified that meetings would generally be open to the press and public, with provisions for excluding them only in accordance with the Access to Information Rules. Public speaking would be at the discretion of the Lead Councillor. Agendas and reports were to be made available five clear days before a meeting. The procedure for the consideration of the final report, which would be submitted to the Cabinet after consideration by the parent Scrutiny Committee, was also detailed.

Scoping Report for Technology-Enabled Care Review

A report from the Executive Director for Adult Social Care and Health was scheduled to be considered, which set out the scope of the Technology-Enabled Care (TEC) scrutiny review. The panel was recommended to note this scoping report. The review's aim was to explore the opportunity and measurable impact of TEC in Stockport, focusing on how technology and digital solutions could help prevent, reduce, and delay the need for long-term care and support, thereby improving independence, wellbeing, and the ability for individuals to live well at home. The review intended to examine how Stockport could further utilise TEC to enable people to live gloriously ordinary lives, remain connected to their communities, and continue engaging in activities that matter to them. It was also planned to investigate TEC's contribution across the prevention pathway, from early intervention to avoiding the escalation of need.

The objectives of the review were to:

• Develop a shared understanding of TEC and its role in preventative, person-centred adult social care.
• Explore how TEC and everyday digital technology can support independence, safety, wellbeing, and quality of life.
• Examine Stockport's current TEC offer, including the contribution of Live Well Independently Stockport, and identify opportunities to extend its reach and impact.
• Gather direct experiences from individuals about how technology supports them, its impact, and areas for improvement.
• Consider the experiences of frontline staff and how TEC is integrated into assessments, support planning, occupational therapy, reablement, and reviews.
• Review local case studies and evidence to understand outcomes for individuals, carers, and the adult social care system.
• Consider TEC's potential contribution to prevention beyond adult social care, including its role in supporting wider health and public health outcomes.
• Examine examples of innovation and good practice from other local authorities.
• Consider barriers to the greater use of TEC, such as awareness, public confidence, digital inclusion, workforce knowledge, and access to technology.
• Identify how the impact of TEC can be measured, including its contribution to independence, prevention, workforce capacity, service demand, and value for money.
• Develop practical recommendations to strengthen TEC use and support a shift towards preventative, person-centred care in Stockport.

The review was scheduled to take place over several sessions, with the first session focusing on understanding the evidence, opportunity, and current position of TEC. This session was intended to establish a shared understanding of TEC, examine its strategic and evidence base, and explore its potential to support prevention, independence, and improved outcomes in Stockport. The panel was asked to note the information presented and agree on key issues and questions to be explored in a subsequent session.

Understanding the Evidence, Opportunity, and Current Position of Technology-Enabled Care

The panel was scheduled to consider a report that aimed to provide a shared understanding of Technology-Enabled Care (TEC). This report was intended to examine the strategic and evidence base for TEC's use and explore its potential to support prevention, independence, and improved outcomes in Stockport. The report was expected to cover the current position in Stockport alongside national research, policy, and evidence, as well as examples of effective or innovative approaches from other areas. The panel was asked to note the information presented and agree on the key issues and questions that needed to be explored in the second session of the review.

The potential lines of enquiry for this session were extensive and included defining TEC, understanding the research and evidence on its impact on independence, wellbeing, safety, and quality of life, and its contribution to preventing, reducing, or delaying the need for formal care. The panel was also scheduled to explore how TEC can help people remain at home, stay connected to their communities, and continue with activities that matter to them. The current TEC offer in Stockport and who benefits from it were to be examined, as well as how TEC is embedded within Adult Social Care practice. The evidence regarding the reach, outcomes, and measurable impact of Stockport's approach was to be considered, along with lessons from innovative practices elsewhere. The potential role of TEC in wider health and public health prevention was also on the agenda, as were the principal gaps, barriers, and opportunities for further development.

Witnesses scheduled to provide information for this session included Sam Powell, Head of Strategy, Quality, Performance and TEC/Digital Enablement for Adult Social Care; Michelle Bennett, Service Manager for Adult Social Care Prevention, Wellbeing and Independence Service; Emma Battersby, Strategic Commissioning Lead for Ageing Well; and Jennifer Barber, Lead Commissioner for TEC.

Actions and Next Steps

The panel was scheduled to agree on actions and next steps for the scrutiny review.

Date of Next Meetings

The panel members and officers were asked to agree on the dates for future meetings of the Scrutiny Review Panel.