The Adult Social Care and Public Health Cabinet Committee of Kent County Council met on Wednesday, 12 November 2025. Key discussions included the Adult Social Care and Health Complaints Report for 2024/2025, the Adult Social Care Performance Dashboard for Quarter 2 of 2025/2026, and the Accommodation Market Position Statement for 2025-2035. A significant decision was made to recommission Long-Acting Reversible Contraception (LARC) services in primary care for a period of six years and four months, with an estimated cost of £13 million.

Adult Social Care and Health Complaints Report 2024/2025

The committee received an overview of the Adult Social Care and Health complaints procedure for the 2024/2025 period. A total of 1,064 complaints were logged, representing a 7% increase from the previous year. Enquiries also rose by 7%, and compliments by 9%. Informal concerns saw a decrease of 39%. Of the complaints closed, 49% were upheld or partially upheld, a slight decrease from the prior year. A total of 47 complaints were escalated to the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman, with 13 being upheld. The report highlighted that the primary causes for complaints were related to the quality of service (33%), policy and procedure (29%), and communications (26%). Corrective actions included formal apologies, discussions at team meetings, staff training, and financial remedies. A total of £239,680.60 was paid out in goodwill payments, financial settlements, or reimbursements.

Adult Social Care Performance Dashboard Quarter 2 2025/2026

The committee reviewed the performance of adult social care services for the second quarter of the financial year 2025/2026. Contacts made to Adult Social Care Connect and safeguarding concerns reached their highest levels in two years, indicating increased demand. Despite this, the number of people with an open care needs assessment and care and support plan review, or an open safeguarding enquiry, decreased. The number of Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) applications remained higher than completions. Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) showed that four out of seven were rated Green, with none rated Red. The report noted that the proportion of people whose contact was resolved within three months, and those remaining at home 91 days after discharge into enablement services, were rated Green.

Accommodation Market Position Statement 2025-2035

This comprehensive statement outlines Kent County Council's strategic direction for housing and care for adults drawing on social care, aiming to ensure accommodation supports independence, dignity, and wellbeing. The council's commitment is to support people to remain in their own homes for as long as possible, with a focus on adaptations, assistive technology, and ensuring new builds meet accessibility standards. For supported living, the aim is to increase provision across Kent, offering flexible, person-centred support and co-designing new models for those with complex needs. Extra care housing is to be promoted as a preferred option, with a focus on inter-generational and technology-enabled models, particularly addressing shortfalls in areas like Thanet, Canterbury, and the Isle of Sheppey. For residential and nursing care, the focus is on ensuring good quality provision for those with the highest and most complex needs, with an emphasis on modern, sustainable homes and a skilled workforce. The statement also addresses the transition of eligible children and young people to adult social care, ensuring seamless support and appropriate accommodation options.

Long-Acting Reversible Contraception (LARC) Services Recommission

A key decision was made to recommission Long-Acting Reversible Contraception (LARC) services in primary care. Kent County Council has a statutory duty to provide access to a broad range of contraceptive substances and appliances. The current contracts expire on 30 November 2026, and the proposal is to enter new contracts from 1 December 2026 for an initial period of four years and four months, with options to extend up to 31 March 2033. The total estimated cost for this period is £13 million, funded by the Public Health Grant. This recommissioning aims to maintain and strengthen LARC services, ensuring continuity of care, increasing uptake, and contributing to a decrease in unplanned pregnancies. The decision was made to continue commissioning directly from multiple primary care providers via a Provider Selection Regime (PSR) compliant procurement process, ensuring good geographical coverage and patient choice.

Adult Social Care Operational Pressures Escalation Plan 2025/2026

The committee noted the Adult Social Care and Health Operational Pressures Escalation Plan for 2025/2026. This plan outlines how Kent County Council will respond to surges in demand across the Kent and Medway Health and Social Care System, operating within the NHS Integrated Operational Pressures Escalation Levels (OPEL) framework. The plan details monitoring and reporting arrangements, roles and responsibilities, and actions required to manage surges in demand, with a focus on supporting hospital discharge and maintaining system capacity.

Verbal Updates by Cabinet Member, Corporate Director and Director of Public Health

The committee received verbal updates from the Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Public Health, Diane Morton, the Interim Corporate Director, Sarah Hammond, and the Director of Public Health, Dr Anjan Ghosh. Updates included reflections on community charities, the passion of staff and volunteers, collaboration with partners in health and the voluntary sector, and the first meeting of the new Kent Health and Wellbeing Boards. Dr Ghosh provided updates on health protection and the role of the Health and Wellbeing Board in assessing community pharmacy needs. Sarah Hammond detailed her work in adult social care, including senior leadership meetings, engagement with key partners, and addressing financial challenges within the directorate. The Baton of Hope, a national tour focused on mental health and suicide prevention, was also mentioned as a significant event that passed through Kent.

Work Programme

The committee noted the Work Programme for the Adult Social Care and Public Health Cabinet Committee, outlining upcoming agenda items for future meetings.