This meeting was scheduled to discuss the council's ongoing improvement plan for SEND provision, the Age Friendly Communities programme, a new all age autism strategy, and progress made on Section 75 agreements between the council and the Integrated Care Board. It also included reports from each of the board's sub-boards.

SEND Priority Action and Improvement Plan

The meeting included an update on the progress made in implementing the council's SEND Priority Action and Improvement Plan¹. The plan, which was approved by Ofsted in January 2024, was a response to a highly critical Ofsted report in 2023, which found widespread and/or systemic failings in the council's SEND provision. The report noted that the Department for Education (DfE) and NHS England had conducted a 'stocktake' of progress on the plan and found that significant progress had been made. It highlighted the development of a new data dashboard, a new SEND Academy and the increased transparency and culture of improvement that now exists across the partnership as particular strengths. It also highlighted some of the challenges that the council is facing, including waiting times for ADHD and autism assessments and the increasing demand for SEND services.

Age Friendly Hertfordshire Update

The meeting also included an update on the Age Friendly Communities² (AFC) Hertfordshire programme. The programme is based on the World Health Organisation’s Age Friendly framework, and it aims to make Hertfordshire a more inclusive and supportive environment for older people. The report noted that the programme had made significant progress in its first four months, including gathering data from over 2,200 residents aged 55 or over through surveys and focus groups. It also noted that the programme has been successful in engaging a wide range of stakeholders, including local authorities, healthcare providers, community groups, and businesses. The report argued that the programme needs centralised leadership to ensure its long-term success and that it will require additional investment to continue its work.

Hertfordshire All Age Autism Strategy 2024-2029

The meeting was scheduled to consider the adoption of a new Hertfordshire All Age Autism Strategy³. The strategy was developed by a steering group that included autistic people, carers, health and care professionals, providers, and partners from the voluntary sector. The strategy identifies six priorities for improving the lives of autistic people in Hertfordshire:

1. Enabling equitable and timely access to diagnosis alongside support whilst people are waiting for a diagnosis.
2. Ensuring autistic people with co-occurring mental health conditions have equitable access to reasonably adjusted services.
3. Developing our community support offer to ensure autistic people and their families have access to a range of support in their local communities.
4. Ensuring autistic people can access and fulfil their potential in education, employment, or training.
5. Autistic people have equitable access to reasonably adjusted physical healthcare services when they need them and working to improve health outcomes for autistic people.
6. Ensuring that people who have ongoing care and support needs have access to appropriate services and support to lead a fulfilling life. The report noted that the strategy is a high-level commissioning strategy, and that detailed delivery plans will be developed to guide its implementation.

An Update on Section 75 Arrangements Between HCC and the ICB – Verbal Update

The report pack indicated that officers would be providing a verbal update on the review of Section 75⁴ agreements between Hertfordshire County Council and the Integrated Care Board.

Health and Wellbeing Board Sub Boards – Progress Highlight Reports September to December 2024

The meeting included progress highlight reports from each of the board's five sub-boards⁵. The reports provide an overview of the work that each sub-board has been doing in the previous quarter, and highlight some of their key achievements. For example, the report from the Drug and Alcohol Joint Strategic Board noted that it had completed a public consultation on the draft aims and objectives for the Hertfordshire Drug and Alcohol Strategy and that it had received overwhelming support. The report from the Better Care Fund Board noted that it had reviewed its terms of reference and that the BCF Social Care pooled fund had supported a pilot for an Enhanced Dementia Service.

Health & Wellbeing Board Strategy Stakeholder Workshop Planning Briefing and Board Forward Plan 2024 - 2025

The meeting was scheduled to be updated on the Health and Wellbeing Board Strategy Stakeholder Workshop which is scheduled to take place on 3 March 2025 at the Hertfordshire Development Centre in Stevenage. The meeting was also scheduled to comment on and approve the Board’s Forward Plan 2024 - 2025.