The Health and Social Care Scrutiny Sub Committee meeting on 10 December 2025 focused on updates regarding adult safeguarding, vaccination programmes, and the development of a suicide and self-harm prevention strategy. Key decisions included endorsing the collaborative approach and four pillars of the suicide and self-harm prevention strategy.

Adult Safeguarding Update

The committee received an update on improvements in adult safeguarding, noting a 65% surge in demand for services over the past three years. Significant work has been undertaken to improve safeguarding supervision, streamline referral processes, update the adult social care database, and embed pan-London guidance. Performance data showed positive progress in reducing the time taken to complete safeguarding concerns and enquiries, with nearly 90% of individuals reporting their desired outcomes were achieved. The Care Quality Commission (CQC) had previously identified areas for development, and Harrow has been working to address these, including improving communication and awareness of safeguarding support. The report highlighted that while the risk management status for safeguarding remained amber, efforts were being made to reduce this. The committee was assured that despite challenges, the council was in a better position to respond to safeguarding issues.

Vaccination Programme

An update was provided on vaccination uptake across Harrow. While Harrow's performance in childhood immunisations aligns with North West London averages, it lags behind neighbouring boroughs like Hillingdon and Hounslow. Efforts are underway to improve uptake, particularly for flu vaccinations, with a focus on vulnerable groups such as the over-65s and young children. The report detailed various initiatives, including outreach events, community pharmacy collaborations, and at-scale clinics. Harrow's overall flu vaccination uptake was reported as just over 43%, exceeding the London average. For childhood immunisations, while no practice nationally is achieving the World Health Organization's (WHO) 95% target, Harrow is working to improve its figures. The report also discussed the impending transfer of Section 7A responsibilities for commissioning vaccination programmes from NHS England to local Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) by April 2027.

Co-Production Suicide and Self-Harm Prevention Strategy

The committee was presented with the approach to developing a co-produced Suicide and Self-Harm Prevention Strategy for Harrow. The strategy aims to address local needs, identify gaps, and support evidence-based decisions, with a strong emphasis on the voices of those with lived experience. The report noted that Harrow's suicide rate has consistently been lower than the England and London averages, although emergency hospital admissions for intentional self-harm in Harrow have recently become higher than the London average. The strategy is built around four pillars: Prevent, Identify, Equip, and Support. A workshop involving over 100 participants helped to develop local priorities. The committee was asked to endorse the collaborative approach and the four pillars of the strategy. A further workshop is scheduled for January 2026 to develop an action plan, with a strategy launch planned for March 2026.

Adult Social Care Complaints

An overview of adult social care complaints for the period 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025 was presented. The number of Stage 1 complaints increased slightly to 139, while Stage 2 complaints and ombudsman enquiries remained consistent or decreased. The report highlighted key themes in complaints, including financial assessments, delays in occupational therapy assessments, and unclear care planning. Improvements have been made in response timescales, with 100% completion rates achieved in some quarters for Stage 1 and Stage 2 complaints. The council is working to improve communication around financial assessments and care plans, and has increased resources for occupational therapy, although demand remains high. The committee noted the need for better data analysis in future reports, including a breakdown of complaints by group. The council is also working to recruit a dedicated complaints manager to enhance capacity and data collection.