The Adult Care Services Cabinet Panel of Hertfordshire Council met on Thursday, 5 March 2026, to discuss plans for adult social care and support for carers. Key items on the agenda included the approval of the Adult Care Services Plan for 2026-2028, the refreshed Hertfordshire Carers Strategy, and the allocation of funding from the Crisis and Resilience Fund.

Approval of Adult Care Services Plan 2026-2028

The Panel was scheduled to consider the proposed Adult Care Services (ACS) Plan for 2026-2028. This resident-facing document outlines the strategic direction for adult social care in Hertfordshire, focusing on five priority themes: people's experience of social care and information and advice; wellbeing and resilience; providing care and support; supporting unpaid and family carers; and organisations working together to support people. The plan was developed following extensive engagement with residents, partners, and staff, and aims to deliver improvements to adult social care services. The Panel was asked to endorse the plan to Cabinet for approval.

Approval of Refreshed Hertfordshire Carers Strategy

A key item for discussion was the proposed refreshed Hertfordshire Carers Strategy for 2026-2028. This multi-agency, all-age strategy aims to better identify and support unpaid carers across Hertfordshire. Developed through co-production with carers, the strategy focuses on five key outcomes identified as most important by carers: being informed, having a life beyond caring, maintaining health and wellbeing, receiving consistent and joined-up services, and being safe. The strategy aligns with various existing council and partner plans, including Hertfordshire County Council's Corporate Plan and the Hertfordshire and West Essex Integrated Care Board's strategies. The Panel was asked to note and comment on the proposed strategy and accompanying action plan, and endorse them to Cabinet for agreement.

The Crisis and Resilience Fund

The Panel was also scheduled to review a detailed delivery plan for the use of the Department for Work and Pensions' (DWP) Crisis and Resilience Fund (CRF). This fund replaces the Household Support Fund and provides £9.1 million per year for three years, increasing to £11.4 million in the third year. The CRF aims to support vulnerable households facing immediate financial crises with essential living costs, while also strengthening longer-term household resilience. The proposed plan outlines how the funding will be allocated across four categories: Crisis Payments, Housing Payments, Resilience Services, and Community Coordination. The plan emphasizes a person-centred, needs-based, holistic, and trauma-informed approach to delivery, building on existing warm referral systems and a no wrong door philosophy. The Panel was asked to note and comment on the proposed allocation plan and endorse it to Cabinet for agreement.

The meeting also included the agreement of the minutes from the Adult Care Services Cabinet Panel held on 22 January 2026 and an opportunity for public petitions. There were no Part II ('closed') agenda items scheduled for discussion.