The Adult Social Care and Public Health Committee met to discuss the redesign of the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) service, and to commence a consultation on the discretionary element of the Minimum Income Guarantee (MIG) rates. The committee approved recommendations for both of these items. The committee also received an annual update on Wirral's Health Protection Strategy 2023-2027, and reviewed the Adult Social Care and Public Health Committee work programme.

Redesign of Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards Service

The Adult Social Care and Public Health Committee approved recommendations to redesign the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) service. This followed a Care Quality Commission (CQC) assessment that identified required improvements. The recommendations included:

• That the Policy and Resources Committee agree to a £0.316 million virement¹ from the Strategic Holding Account Contingency to Adult Social Care for the 2025/26 financial year, to fund the redesign.
• That the annual cost of the proposed restructure, estimated at £758,000, be addressed in future budget rounds.

The report supporting the recommendations noted that the council faced significant risk in not meeting the demand and timescales for statutory compliance within the DoLS. The CQC had highlighted the performance and approach to DoLS as a shortcoming, noting risks to people's well-being due to a backlog of unauthorised DoLS applications.

The proposed restructure aims to address these issues by creating a centralised leadership approach and improving triage processes. It is anticipated that this will reduce the council's risk of legal challenges and ensure compliance with legal obligations. The report also identified potential financial benefits, estimating an annual cost reduction of £335,000 due to improved timeliness in completing DoLS assessments.

Consultation on Minimum Income Guarantee Rates

The Adult Social Care and Public Health Committee approved the commencement of a six-week consultation, from 22 September 2025 to 2 November 2025, on a reduction of the Minimum Income Guarantee (MIG). The Care Act 2014, details how local authorities should assess and meet the care and support needs of adults. The Care and Support (Charging and Assessment of Resources) Regulations 2014 and the Care and Support Statutory Guidance provide further guidance on charging for care and support.

The report presented to the committee stated that Wirral Council has been applying an additional discretionary allowance for residents for several years, which is above the national MIG. The purpose of the consultation is to explore proposals to move to a position whereby taxpayers are not subsidising the cost of services which individuals could be paying for.

The report noted that removing the discretionary buffer entirely could generate a financial benefit in the region of £2.6 million of additional income per annum. Based on current data, this could increase contributions by an average of £25.58 per person, per week.

The report also outlined the legal implications of the consultation, referencing the Gunning Principles², which state that a consultation is only legitimate when:

• Proposals are still at a formative stage
• There is sufficient information to give 'intelligent consideration'
• There is adequate time for consideration and response
• 'Conscientious consideration' must be given to the consultation responses before a decision is made

Adult Social Care and Public Health Performance Report

The committee received the Adult Social Care and Public Health Performance Report for Quarter 1 of 2025/26. The report provided data on various aspects of adult social care and public health services, including:

• Total number of people accessing adult social care services
• Care market - care homes
• Direct payments
• Care market - block commitments
• Care market - domiciliary care and reablement
• Care market - specialist (supported living)
• Day care
• Shared lives
• Assistive technology
• Extra care housing
• Cheshire Wirral Partnership
• Wirral Borough Council (WBC)
• Length of stay report
• Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DOLS)

The report included commentary from Adult Social Care and Health management on various trends and issues. For example, regarding care homes, it was noted that the number of long-term residential care home placements continues to be at a high level, but has plateaued. Work is underway to model future demand and capacity planning.

Regarding direct payments, it was noted that these are a good option for people to be more in control of their care and support arrangements, and the majority of direct payments are now made with a pre-paid card.

Annual Update Report on Wirral's Health Protection Strategy 2023-2027

The committee received an annual update on the partnership work undertaken to deliver Wirral's Health Protection Strategy 2023-2027. The strategy sets out a collective approach to ensuring a resilient health protection system and response in Wirral.

The report highlighted achievements including:

• Supporting the national COVID-19 public inquiry and implementing lessons learned.
• Co-developing and delivering Wirral's system improvement strategy for Clostridioides difficile.
• Implementing an incentive scheme for General Practices to address high antibiotic prescribing in Primary Care.
• Continued co-ordinated efforts to improve system preparedness and reduce the potential impacts of measles and other infectious diseases.
• Delivering a range of initiatives which have helped to improve the uptake of key vaccinations with a focus on reducing health inequalities in deprived areas.
• Continued implementation of best practice for the management of recurrent Urinary Tract Infections in Primary Care.
• First year delivery of Wirral's Air Quality Strategy.
• Co-designing an indoor air quality PHD research project.
• Designing and delivering Winter preparedness advice, resources and communications.
• Achieving the micro-elimination of Hepatitis C for the second time.
• Recommissioning of the Sexually Transmitted Infection and HIV service with a focus on outreach activity to reduce late diagnosis rates for HIV.
• Working in partnership with system partners to support the Liverpool City Region to become a 'Fast-Track City.'

The report also outlined planned work for the year ahead, including:

• Implement recommendations identified from the recent system review of the Association of Directors of Public Health Assurance and Best Practice Framework.
• Develop a suite of Health Protection Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and provide staff training and development opportunities.
• Continue to implement the Wirral Clostridioides Difficile Strategy.
• Develop and implement a winter preparedness plan.
• Recruit to key positions within Wirral system that support the implementation of the strategy.
• Support the development of an Indoor Air Quality PHD project (4-year research project).
• Support the implementation of the 'Clean Air Crew' air quality resources for schools.
• Develop, pilot and implement a Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) Toolkit.
• Review / develop Hepatitis B vaccination pathway.
• Re-establish Wirral's Health Resilience Partnership and develop / undertake a series of local exercises / walkthrough training opportunities.
• Support improvement in cancer screening (with initial focus on breast, bowel and cervical screening).

Adult Social Care and Public Health Committee Work Programme Update

The committee reviewed its work programme for the remainder of the 2025/26 municipal year. The work programme includes key decisions, standing items, and monitoring reports.