The People Overview & Scrutiny Committee of Oxfordshire County Council met on Thursday 15 January 2026 to discuss the Oxfordshire Unpaid Carers Strategy and Supported Independent Housing. The committee also reviewed its forward work plan.

Oxfordshire Unpaid Carers Strategy

The committee was scheduled to consider a report on the Oxfordshire Unpaid Carers Strategy, presented by Councillor Tim Bearder, Cabinet Member for Adults, Karen Fuller, Director of Adult Social Services, and Isabel Rockingham, Head of Joint Commissioning – Age Well. The report highlighted the vital role unpaid carers play in the health and social care system, estimating their contribution to be equivalent to 4 million paid care workers nationally. It also detailed the support provided jointly by the Council and the Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire West Integrated Care Board (ICB), including services commissioned through Carers Oxfordshire. The strategy aims to identify and support carers, safeguard vulnerable individuals, and encourage carers to maintain active lives outside their caring roles. The report noted that in 2021, 52,674 residents of Oxfordshire identified as providing unpaid care. The committee was asked to raise any questions and agree any recommendations to be made to the Cabinet.

Supported Independent Housing

A report on Supported Independent Housing was also scheduled for discussion, presented by Councillor Tim Bearder, Karen Fuller, Ian Bottomley, Head of Joint Commissioning – Age Well, and Sharon Paterson, Commissioning Manager – Live Well. This report provided an overview of supported living for adults with learning disabilities in Oxfordshire, detailing the local approach, recent developments, challenges, and strategic priorities within the county's Learning Disability 10-Year Plan. The report emphasised that supported living is a person-centred model that empowers adults with learning disabilities to live independently with their own tenancies and tailored support. Oxfordshire prioritises supported living over residential care, with 83.9% of people with a learning disability living in their own homes. Challenges identified included a limited supply of specialist accommodation and historic reliance on out-of-county placements. The committee was asked to consider the report, raise questions, and agree any recommendations for the Cabinet.

Committee Forward Work Plan

The committee was also scheduled to review and agree its work programme for forthcoming meetings. This would take into account any changes from previous iterations, the Cabinet Forward Plan, and the Budget Management Monitoring Report.