The Southend-on-Sea City Council's People Overview & Scrutiny Committee convened to discuss the Southend on Sea Safeguarding Adults Board's (SSAB) initiatives for addressing hoarding, and to receive an assurance overview. The committee reviewed the multi-agency work led by the SSAB, acknowledged the responsibilities of various agencies in addressing hoarding behaviours, and endorsed the development and dissemination of the Southend Hoarding Protocol. The committee also noted reports on adult social care performance, and early intervention for children with special educational needs.

Southend on Sea Safeguarding Adults Board (SSAB) Hoarding Initiatives

The committee undertook a thematic scrutiny of the Southend on Sea Safeguarding Adults Board (SSAB) approach to hoarding, noting the multi-agency work led by the SSAB in improving practice and outcomes for adults at risk of harm due to hoarding. Hoarding is recognised under the Care Act 2014 as a form of self-neglect, which is a category of abuse.

The SSAB has developed a local Hoarding Protocol in consultation with housing, environmental health, the fire service, and the NHS, which includes:

• A clear framework for decision-making.
• A pathway for multi-agency escalation.
• Guidance for risk assessment and capacity considerations.
• Links to Mental Capacity Act and Care Act duties.

The SSAB's Independent Chair Elizabeth Hanlon and Executive Director Adults & Communities Mark Harvey presented a report to the committee, which highlighted that referrals to adult safeguarding services related to hoarding are increasing locally and nationally, and that these cases often require sustained, coordinated, and sensitive engagement by professionals across sectors.

The committee acknowledged the cross-cutting responsibilities of agencies including health, housing, social care, the third sector[^2], fire services and policing in identifying and responding to hoarding behaviours. They also endorsed the development and dissemination of the Southend Hoarding Protocol and supported its further embedding across front-line practice.

The committee was asked to consider and share any proposed actions that the committee feels will further enhance our approach to hoarding for the SSAB to consider.

Adult Social Care Performance and Care Quality Commission (CQC) Self-Assessment

The committee reviewed a report and presentation on adult social care, the Care Quality Commission (CQC) self-assessment, and performance for 2024/25. The Cabinet Member for Social Care and Healthier Communities introduced the item.

The discussion covered:

• Demographics of people living in their own home with assistance.
• The importance of reducing the need for individuals to re-tell their stories across multiple agencies in order to access appropriate care.
• Whether the Council is actively identifying appropriate housing stock and exploring new development sites suitable for supported living models.
• The reported domiciliary care rate of 85% was not inclusive of those being cared for by unpaid family carers.
• Whether the Council had considered the viability of a virtual care home model.
• Consideration was given to average spend per capita on care services and the sustainability of funding, particularly in the context of Local Government Reorganisation.
• A request was made for clarity on the proportion of individuals receiving care services who are self-funding, without financial support from the Council.

The Executive Director agreed to provide a written response on the following matters: the cost differential between supporting a resident to remain at home with care versus placement in a residential care home; clarification on future plans for Brook Meadow House; further information regarding the recent increase in carer assessments, including the associated rise in expenditure, outcomes achieved as a result of these assessments, and the financial impact on the Council; and data on the proportion of individuals receiving care services who fund their own care without local authority support.

The committee noted the report and presentation.

Early Identification and Intervention - SEN Support in School and Settings

The committee received a report and presentation on Southend City Council's Early Years Service and Specialist Support Service, which are designed to enhance access to education and improve support arrangements for children and young people with emerging needs and Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) across mainstream schools and early years settings within the city.

Sarah Greaves, Head of Specialist Support Services for Schools and Fay Armstrong, Head of Families, Early Years and CC services, were welcomed to the meeting.

The Cabinet Member for Children, Learning and SEND, Councillor L Burton, introduced the item and the work around the specialist teaching service.

The committee asked for a written response on the impact of early years works with Health Visitors in identifying children who may require additional support for Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) prior to starting school, including any relevant data from the Integrated Review at age 2, and any available data on the number of children who were not accessing early years provision to which they were entitled to.

The committee noted the contents of the report and presentation.

Questions from Members of the Public

The committee noted the responses of the Cabinet Member Social Care and Healthier Communities to questions presented by Ms Mitchell and Ms Cowdrey.

A question had been submitted by Mr Webb to the Cabinet Member for Children, Learning and SEND, however as he was not present at the meeting, the Chair advised a written response would be provided after the meeting.

The Chair advised that a copy of the questions and responses would be published online.

Work Programme

The committee noted that the work programme was intended to be a live document and will be subject to change, in agreement with the Chair, Councillor Owen Cartey.