The Adult Care and Public Health Scrutiny Committee was scheduled to discuss the recommissioning of Active Recovery Beds, the findings of a peer review into services for learning disability and autistic people, and winter planning arrangements. The committee was also set to review its work programme and receive an update on substance use services.

Active Recovery Beds Recommissioning

The committee was scheduled to consider a report on the recommissioning of Active Recovery Beds (ARBs) ahead of a decision by the Executive on 4 November 2025. The report, presented by Alina Hackney, Head of Commercial Services – People Services, and Carl Miller, Senior Strategic Commercial and Procurement Manager, outlined proposals for a new ARB service comprising 24 beds across three locations. The service aims to support residents who may otherwise spend longer periods in hospital or residential care, facilitating their return home through reablement. The report detailed the current service, demand modelling, and commercial implications, including a proposed contract for one year with options to extend for a further two years. The total cost for the first year was estimated at £1,649,967.20, with contributions from Lincolnshire County Council (LCC) and the Lincolnshire NHS Integrated Care Board (LICB). The report also highlighted the significant cost avoidance achieved by the ARB service, with an estimated £4.70 saved for every £1 spent by LCC on home care costs. The committee was invited to consider whether it supported the recommendations to the Executive and to provide any additional comments.

Lincolnshire Learning Disability and Autistic People Peer Review: Summary Report

A report from Hayley Eccles, Deputy Director of Adult Social Services, was scheduled to present the findings of a peer review into services for people with learning disabilities and autistic people in Lincolnshire. The review, conducted by Partners in Care & Health (PCH) and funded by NHS England, aimed to identify what is working well and what could be improved. The methodology involved document analysis, interviews, and site visits, with findings mapped against national Care Quality Commission (CQC) themes and Local Government Association (LGA) guidance. The review highlighted strengths such as a focus on employment, autism hubs, and the use of easy-read formats. However, challenges were identified, including voices not always being heard in planning, unclear support for dual diagnoses, and barriers to transport and community involvement. The report indicated that recommendations from the peer review were being integrated into the existing Adults Improvement Programme. The committee was asked to note and comment on these insights and how they were being taken into account.

Intermediate Care and Preparations for Winter

The committee was due to receive a report from Hayley Eccles, Deputy Director of Adult Social Services, concerning winter planning arrangements for 2025/26. The report detailed the Adult Social Care Hospital Social Work Team's Winter Plan, developed in response to lessons learned from the previous winter. Key areas addressed included reviewing demand and capacity, particularly over weekends and bank holidays, and ensuring staff presence in discharge lounges. The plan incorporated learning from NHS England's Winter Exercise Aegis, which tested the system's ability to manage surge situations. The report outlined the provision of services, including Active Recovery Beds (ARBs), the Home-Based Reablement Service (HBRS), the Hospital Discharge Home Recovery Scheme (HDHRS), the Community Connector Scheme, the St Barnabas Community Care Nurse Specialist (CCNS) service, the Hospital Avoidance Response Team (HART), the Care Home Trusted Assessor (CHTA), and the Care Transfer Hub. The report emphasised the crucial role of these services in ensuring safe and timely discharges and supporting independent living, particularly during the winter months. The committee was asked to note and endorse the proposed Winter Plan.

Substance Use Services & Partnership Working (including links with Prisons)

A report from Lucy Gavens, Public Health Consultant, was scheduled to provide an overview of the commissioned drug and alcohol treatment and recovery services across Lincolnshire. The report aimed to inform the committee about the scope, funding structures, and performance metrics of these services. It also highlighted system-wide efforts between all partners, including the criminal justice system, to ensure a coordinated response to substance use. The report detailed the national and local strategies, including the From Harm to Hope 10-year drugs plan and Lincolnshire's Alcohol and Drug Strategy 2021-2025. It outlined commissioning responsibilities and the services provided, such as the Lincolnshire Recovery Partnership (LRP) for adults and Horizon for young people. The report also covered family support services, finance, and partnership working with the police, courts, probation, prisons, NHS trusts, and housing support providers. The committee was asked to note the report, which presented an overview of substance use prevention, treatment, and recovery work across Lincolnshire.

Adult Care and Public Health Scrutiny Committee Work Programme

Simon Evans, Health Scrutiny Officer, was scheduled to present a report on the committee's work programme. The report outlined current and planned items for discussion, including those already covered in the meeting, such as Active Recovery Beds Recommissioning, the Learning Disability Peer Review, Intermediate Care and Winter Preparations, and Substance Use Services. It also detailed future agenda items for upcoming meetings, including discussions on the Integrated Lifestyle Service, Adult Social Care Target Operating Model, Service Level Performance Reporting, and various re-procurement exercises. The report also included extracts from the forward plan of key decisions due to be taken by the Executive. The committee was invited to review its work programme and make suggestions for future items to ensure scrutiny activity is focused where it can be of greatest benefit.