The Health and Wellbeing Board meeting scheduled for 4 February 2026 was set to cover a range of strategic priorities for Havering, including safeguarding, early years development, sexual health, arts and sports strategies, and efforts to combat drug and alcohol misuse. The meeting's agenda focused on reviewing annual reports and discussing the adoption of new strategies aimed at improving the health and wellbeing of residents across the borough.

Havering Safeguarding Partnership Annual Report 2024-25

The Board was scheduled to consider the annual report of the Havering Safeguarding Partnership (HSP) for 2024-25. This report details the work undertaken by the Havering Safeguarding Adults Board (HSAB) and the Havering Safeguarding Children's Partnership (HSCP). Key priorities for safeguarding children and adults between 2024 and 2027 were to be discussed, including transitional safeguarding for individuals with disabilities and special educational needs, equality, diversity, and inclusion, neglect and self-neglect, mental health and suicide prevention, child sexual abuse, and child sexual exploitation. The report highlighted an increase in child protection planning related to child sexual abuse and a decrease in planning for neglect, attributed to focused work and refreshed strategies. It also noted improvements in the conversion of safeguarding concerns to enquiries for adults. The Board was asked to accept the HSP Annual Report and support the outlined safeguarding priorities.

Best Start in Life Plan

A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to the Best Start in Life plan, a strategy aimed at ensuring every child in Havering has the best possible start. This plan aligns with the Department for Education's strategy for improving early years outcomes, with a particular focus on the critical first 1,001 days of a child's life. The strategy outlines a vision for integrated, accessible, and high-quality early years services, emphasizing the development of Family Hubs, early identification and intervention for at-risk families, workforce development, reducing inequalities, and embedding evidence-based practices. The report detailed local demographic and needs profiles, highlighting Havering's population growth, diversity, pockets of deprivation, and rising numbers of children with Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs). It also addressed educational outcomes, noting that while Havering's early years results are strong, there is a need to increase the number of children achieving a Good Level of Development by 2028. The plan proposes three priority areas: Better Support for Families, More Accessible Early Education & Childcare, and Improving Quality in Early Years Including Reception. The Board was asked to note the content of the presentation and make recommendations regarding priority areas and actions, with a wider consultation planned.

Sexual Health Strategy Update

An update on the North East London (NEL) Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) Strategy and Havering's local action plan was scheduled for discussion. The report was to provide information on the national strategic context, including the HIV Action Plan for England 2025-2030, and progress on the NEL SRH Strategy. Achievements in Havering and North East London over the past year were to be outlined, alongside priorities and actions for the next 12 months, ensuring alignment with national and regional strategies. The report noted that while progress is being made, challenges remain regarding system capacity, stigma around sexual health, and the need for effective multi-agency partnership working. The Board was asked to note the report's contents, endorse the plans for the coming year, and support the Public Health team's work with partners.

Arts Strategy 2026-29

The Board was to consider the draft Havering Arts Strategy 2026–2029, which aims to use arts and culture to improve health and wellbeing, reduce inequalities, and strengthen community resilience. The strategy aligns with the Health and Wellbeing Strategy by supporting prevention, promoting mental wellbeing, and addressing wider determinants of health. It emphasizes increasing participation in arts and culture, particularly among residents least likely to engage, and embedding arts activity within community settings. The strategy supports a preventative, community-based approach, including creative health and social prescribing. The Board was asked to support the role of arts and culture in prevention and wellbeing and encourage partnership working across sectors.

Sports & Physical Activity Strategy 2026-29

The Creating an Active Havering Sport and Physical Activity Strategy 2026–2029 was presented as a framework for increasing physical activity levels and reducing health inequalities across the borough. The strategy acknowledges that physical inactivity is a significant contributor to poor health outcomes in Havering, particularly for older people, those with long-term conditions, disabled residents, and those in deprived communities. It adopts a whole-systems, partnership-based approach to embed physical activity into everyday life, places, and services. Key priorities include targeting inactive residents, integrating physical activity into health and care pathways, improving access to green spaces, supporting children and young people in developing lifelong active habits, and using physical activity to enhance mental health and reduce social isolation. The Board was asked to recognise physical activity as a key contributor to prevention and wellbeing and to support partnership delivery of the strategy.

Combating Drugs Partnership Annual Report 2024-25

The Havering Combatting Drugs Partnership (CDP) Annual Report 2024–25 was presented, detailing progress in reducing drug and alcohol-related harms. The report highlighted the strengthening of treatment and recovery systems, improved partnership coordination, and responses to emerging risks like synthetic opioids. It noted that alcohol remains the primary cause of substance-related harm locally, though drug misuse continues to present challenges. Havering reportedly performs well in key outcome areas, with treatment engagement and recovery rates above London and England averages. The partnership has successfully transitioned to the new Drug and Alcohol Treatment, Recovery and Improvement Grant (DATRIG). The report outlined key developments including improved data sharing, a synthetic opioids preparedness plan, enhanced safeguarding training, and the piloting of a Drug and Alcohol Review of Deaths (DARD) process. The Board was asked to endorse the partnership's priorities for 2025/26, which include embedding Project ADDER, refreshing the Substance Misuse Needs Assessment, implementing a Children & Young People's Communications Plan, rolling out the DARD process, and continuing work to improve opiate recovery.