The Health and Wellbeing Board of Worcestershire Council was scheduled to discuss annual reports from the Worcestershire Safeguarding Adults Board and the Worcestershire Safeguarding Children Partnership. The meeting agenda also included an overview of the Joint Strategic Needs Assessment and the Neighbourhood Health Programme for 2025-26.

Worcestershire Safeguarding Adults Board Annual Report 2024/25

The Board was scheduled to receive an update on the Worcestershire Safeguarding Adults Board (WSAB) Annual Report for 2024/25. The WSAB is an independent board that aims to promote wellbeing and reduce the risk of harm for individuals with care and support needs, with statutory partners including Worcestershire County Council, the Integrated Care Board, NHS, and West Mercia Police. The report was expected to provide an overview of the Board's activities, including safeguarding activity to protect vulnerable adults. It was also to detail the Safeguarding Adults Reviews (SARs) undertaken, with 12 referrals received and three mandatory SARs completed. The report was to highlight the implementation of the Learning Framework, building links with other partnerships, and the Quality Assurance Framework. Key achievements included the development of the WSAB website, the production of briefings on learning from SARs, and the holding of an annual safeguarding awards event. The report also covered the Complex Adult Risk Management Framework (CARM), which has seen a significant increase in referrals since its launch. The Board was asked to note and receive assurance that the WSAB is meeting the requirements of the Care Act and to consider any cross-cutting themes.

Worcestershire Safeguarding Children Partnership Annual Report 2024-25

The Board was scheduled to review the Worcestershire Safeguarding Children Partnership (WSCP) Annual Report for 2024-25. This report details the partnership's progress in safeguarding children and young people, focusing on the effectiveness of multi-agency arrangements and the impact of their work on outcomes. The report was to cover key areas of partnership activity, including the GET SAFE initiative, the Quality Assurance Practice and Procedures (QAPP) Group's work on child safeguarding practice reviews, and the Child Safeguarding Practice Review (CSPR) Group's initiatives such as the Keep Me Safe… When I'm Crying campaign. The Education Head Teachers Safeguarding Steering Group's efforts to strengthen collaboration between educational settings and the Family Front Door were also to be discussed. The report was to provide assurance that the WSCP continues to deliver its statutory duties effectively and to highlight areas for future improvement.

Joint Strategic Needs Assessment Annual Summary 2025

The Board was scheduled to consider the 2025 Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA) Annual Summary. This assessment provides an updated analysis of key areas of need and opportunity within Worcestershire, serving as a resource for decision-making to improve health outcomes. The report was to highlight data-driven insights at neighbourhood and county levels, informing community engagement and efforts to address health inequalities. It was to showcase intelligence resources such as the Worcestershire Insights website, local profiles, and dashboards, detailing how priority neighbourhood health analytics have developed. The JSNA's purpose is to identify necessary actions to address health and social care needs, diminish inequalities, and tackle broader factors influencing health and wellbeing, guiding future investment priorities and service planning. The report was to be noted for assurance.

Neighbourhood Health Programme 2025-26

The meeting agenda included a discussion on the Neighbourhood Health Programme for 2025-26. This programme is a requirement stemming from the 10 Year Health Plan for England: Fit for the Future, aiming to create healthier communities by promoting healthy, active, and independent lives. The programme advocates for a shift from hospital-centric care to community-based support, a move from treatment to prevention, and the increased use of digital solutions. The report was to outline the progress being made in Worcestershire, including the establishment of joint leadership and governance arrangements, and the embedding of six core components of neighbourhood health strategy. These components include Population Health Management, Modern General Practice, Standardised Community Health Services, Neighbourhood Multi-Disciplinary Teams, Integrated Intermediate Care, and Urgent Neighbourhood Services. The report was to be noted for assurance.