This meeting of the Health in Hackney Scrutiny Commission was scheduled to receive updates on a number of topics concerning adult social care in Hackney and the safeguarding of adults in both Hackney and the City of London. The meeting was also scheduled to receive updates about air pollution and the recording of observations of patients in mental health inpatient units.

Capital Build Opportunities in Adult Social Care

The meeting was scheduled to receive an update on work being done by the Adults Health and Integration Directorate on the development of capital build opportunities in adult social care, following a detailed discussion the Commission had on 26 April 2023 about “Housing Regeneration and options for future proofing for adult social care needs”.

The report provided to the Commission stated that a business case was being developed for an Adult Social Care capital build programme. It stated that demand for residential and supported living has increased by 4% since 2023 and is predicted to increase by 34% by 2030, which will equate to 237 more people receiving adult social care. The document also stated that 79% of residential, 56% of nursing and 47% of supported living placements commissioned by the council were out of borough in 2023.

The report set out several ways that adult social care accommodation could be provided in the future. These include converting existing properties or building new properties, partnering with Registered Social Landlords to finance and build new accommodation, and utilising the Housing Revenue Account to build new accommodation.

The report included an assessment of housing with care needs by Campbell Tickell, who identified that to meet the future demand for adult social care services the council will require an additional 532 units of accommodation over the next 10 years.

A programme manager, Martin Crick, has been appointed to oversee the delivery of the programme.

City & Hackney Safeguarding Adults Board Annual Report

The meeting was scheduled to receive the draft Annual Report 2023/24 from the City and Hackney Safeguarding Adults Board, which is a statutory board required under Section 43 of the Care Act 2014.

The report included an introduction from Dr Adi Cooper OBE¹, the Independent Chair of the Board, providing an overview of the work the board had undertaken during the year 2023/24.

The report also provided an overview of the role and membership of the board, as well as setting out the principles underpinning the board's strategy:

The Board’s strategy and annual strategic plan is underpinned by the the six safeguarding principles:

Prevention – It is better to take action before harm occurs.

“I receive clear and simple information about what abuse is, how to recognise the signs and what I can do to seek help.”

Empowerment - People are supported and encouraged to make their own decisions and informed consent.

“I am asked what I want as the outcomes from the safeguarding process and this directly informs what happens.”

Proportionality – The least intrusive response appropriate to the risk presented.

“I am sure that the professionals will work in my interest, as I see them and they will only get involved as much as needed.”

Protection – Support and representation for those in greatest need.

“I get help and support to report abuse and neglect. I get help so that I am able to take part in the safeguarding process to the extent to which I want.”

Partnership – Local solutions through services working together and with their communities. Services share information safely and each service has a workforce well trained in safeguarding. Communities have a part to play in preventing, detecting and reporting neglect and abuse.

“I know that staff treat any personal and sensitive information in confidence, only sharing what is helpful and necessary. I am confident that professionals will work together and with me to get the best result for me.”

Accountability – Accountability and transparency in delivering safeguarding.

“I understand the role of everyone involved in my life and so do they.”

The report provided a breakdown of safeguarding data for 2023/24 for the City of London Corporation, the London Borough of Hackney and the East London NHS Foundation Trust, as well as providing ten case studies from a range of partner organisations.

The report set out the achievements of the board during 2023/24:

• The board commissioned two discretionary Safeguarding Adult Reviews.
• The board delivered training to 150 people.
• The board organised a series of events for Safeguarding Adults Week.
• The board undertook a self-assessment.
• The board participated in a range of multi-agency working, including the suicide prevention group, the strategic vulnerability board, the community safety officer group and domestic abuse work streams.
• The board's Anti-Social Behaviour and Safeguarding Task and Finish Group reconvened.
• The board trained four safeguarding champions.
• The board participated in the Safeguarding Adults Insight Survey and a webinar about good practice.

The report also set out the achievements of a number of board partners during 2023/24.

The report also set out the board's strategic priorities for 2024/25:

• Continue to improve the quality of mental capacity assessments.
• Engage with the community and voluntary sector to support them to build their confidence in delivering their safeguarding duties and to raise awareness of adult safeguarding.
• Continue to embed engagement with people with lived experience and ensure that they can influence all aspects of the Board’s work.
• Identify and respond to the safeguarding needs of people who are homeless, people experiencing modern day slavery, people experiencing discriminatory abuse (hate crime) and young people (18-25 year olds).
• Work collaboratively with agencies and partnerships across the City and Hackney to respond to the safeguarding needs of residents.
• Support frontline practitioners to respond to complex issues relating to self-neglect.
• Deliver and implement recommendations that arise in relation to both local, regional and national Safeguarding Adults Reviews
• Ensure that all agencies across the City and Hackney deliver their core duties in relation to safeguarding.

Health Impacts of Air Pollution

The meeting was scheduled to receive a presentation about the health impacts of air pollution and the implementation of the council’s Air Quality Action Plan 21-25.

Accurate recording of 'observations' in mental health inpatient units

The meeting was scheduled to receive a briefing from the East London NHS Foundation Trust about the accuracy of the recording of “observations” in mental health inpatient units, following a story published in the Health Services Journal on 21 August 2024 which raised concern about the findings of a recent Coroner’s Report about the death of a 40 year old man in 2020.

Minutes of the Previous Meeting

The meeting was scheduled to agree the minutes of the meeting that took place on 11 July 2024.

Health in Hackney Scrutiny Commission Work Programme

The meeting was scheduled to agree a provisional work programme for the remainder of the municipal year.

The report to the Commission included a draft work programme, as well as lists of work programme suggestions received in response to the annual public survey and replies to letters to stakeholders, and a forward plan for the Inner North East London Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee for 2024/25.