The Adult Social Care and Health Scrutiny Committee met on Thursday 5 March 2026 to discuss several key areas, including the consultation findings on the 'Preparing for Adulthood' strategy, the annual fee setting for care services, and an update on drug and alcohol needs assessments. The committee also reviewed the findings of a scrutiny review into alcohol use and treatment effectiveness.

Preparing for Adulthood Consultation

The committee received a report detailing the findings of a consultation on the draft 'Preparing for Adulthood' (PfA) strategy. The consultation, which ran from November 2025 to February 2026, involved youth voice workshops, parent and carer sessions, professional briefings, and an online survey, with 155 participants in events and 47 survey responses. Young people and their families expressed a strong desire for earlier preparation, clearer and more accessible information, and practical, hands-on experience. Key themes emerging from the feedback included the need for earlier transition planning, improved communication, consistent support, and a greater focus on employment, independent living, community inclusion, and health and wellbeing. Professionals also highlighted the need for clear roles, realistic delivery expectations, and alignment with existing strategies. The committee was asked to comment on and note the report, with the next steps involving the co-production of a detailed multi-agency action plan.

Annual Residential/Nursing, Home Care and Other Care Management Services Fee Setting & Market Sustainability Plan 2026/27

Councillor Helen Foster-Grime, Cabinet Member for Health, Wellbeing and Adult Social Care, presented the report outlining the proposed fee settings for externally commissioned care services for 2026/27. The report detailed a proposed average uplift of 5.4% for residential and nursing care ceiling rates, with specific uplifts for enhanced rate beds. Home care services are proposed to receive a 5.8% uplift, and other care management services, including personal assistant rates, will see a blended increase of 5.4% for supported living and 4.2% for day care services. The total indicative investment for these uplifts is £6.810 million. The report highlighted the ongoing challenges of increasing demand, complexity of needs, and inflationary pressures, particularly the Real Living Wage, alongside the council's commitment to market sustainability and quality provision. The committee was recommended to comment on and note the report.

Client Finance Update

The committee received an update on the Stockport Council Client Finance Service, which supports vulnerable residents who need assistance managing their financial affairs. The service operates under two categories: Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) Appointeeship and Court of Protection Deputyship. The report highlighted that the service does not have strict eligibility criteria beyond the individual being a Stockport resident assessed as lacking mental capacity, with no savings or property ownership restrictions. The service is overseen internally through robust controls and externally by the Office of the Public Guardian, which conducted a positive inspection in October 2025. The report also detailed the service fees and the significant amount of income and savings managed on behalf of clients, emphasizing its role in safeguarding against financial exploitation and supporting individuals to live independently. The committee was asked to comment on and note the report.

Drugs and Alcohol Needs Assessment Update

An update was provided on the progress of the drug and alcohol action plan, developed following a local needs assessment. The report indicated that 80% of the actions within the plan have been completed, with work underway to finalise the remaining actions. Key achievements include an increase in the number of people entering structured treatment, a reduction in unplanned exits from treatment, and improvements in those making substantial progress during treatment. The committee heard about efforts to increase access to services, particularly for hidden populations and those with complex needs, and the ongoing work to reduce drug and alcohol-related deaths and wider harms. Future steps include submitting plans to the Department of Health and Social Care and developing a synthetic opioid resilience plan. The committee was recommended to consider and comment on the progress made and the next steps.

Alcohol Related Harm Update

This report provided an update on the work of the Stockport alcohol-related harm subgroup, focusing on three key workstreams: licensing, community-based prevention, and hospital-based interventions. Progress has been made in reviewing licensing policy to incorporate a public health lens, developing peer support groups in communities like Brinnington and Lancashire Hill, and working with Stockport NHS Foundation Trust to improve alcohol care pathways. The report noted that Stockport has higher rates of alcohol-specific mortality and hospital admissions than the national average. Next steps include a dedicated planning session to review progress, consider the new UK Alcohol Clinical Guidelines, and develop a local action plan. The committee was asked to consider the report and provide feedback.

Scrutiny Review - Alcohol Use: The Effectiveness of Treatment

The committee reviewed the final report of the Scrutiny Review Panel on alcohol use, treatment effectiveness, and a system-wide approach to reducing alcohol harm in Stockport. The review focused on understanding the scale of alcohol-related harm, the effectiveness and accessibility of treatment services, the role of lived experience and peer support, and the interface between community and hospital services. Key recommendations included strengthening partnership working through data sharing and a population health management approach, developing an alcohol data matrix tool, and enhancing local licensing policy. The review also highlighted the importance of reducing unmet need through co-produced, culturally competent engagement, and ensuring continued funding for alcohol treatment services. Specific recommendations were made regarding hospital-based provision, urging Stockport NHS Foundation Trust to review national guidelines and explore funding for a 7-day alcohol care team. The committee was asked to endorse the recommendations to Cabinet.

Scrutiny Work Programme

The committee was presented with the planned agenda items for future meetings and invited to put forward any additional items for the work programme. The report outlined upcoming topics including updates on drugs and alcohol needs assessments, Stepping Hill Foundation Trust estates, alcohol-related harm, and the scrutiny review of alcohol use. The committee was also invited to suggest items for the next municipal year.