The Adult Social Care and Public Health Cabinet Committee is scheduled to convene on Wednesday, 6 May 2026, to discuss a range of important updates and reports concerning the provision of adult social care and public health services within Kent. Key topics on the agenda include performance dashboards for both adult social care and public health, an update on adult safeguarding, and plans for the future of the Health and Wellbeing Board and the Neighbourhood Health Plan.

Adult Social Care Performance Dashboard

The committee is set to receive an update on the performance of adult social care services for Quarter 4 of the 2025/2026 financial year, alongside a review of the new suite of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for 2026/2027. The report indicates that while overall activity levels remain high, with an increase in contacts to the Connect Service and a rise in Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards applications, there has been a decrease in safeguarding concerns received. The performance of various indicators, such as the proportion of older people remaining at home after hospital discharge and the completion of Care Needs Assessments within 28 days, will be presented, with some measures moving from green to amber ratings.

Adult Safeguarding Update

An update on adult safeguarding is scheduled, providing an overview of processes, the current national and local context, and partnership arrangements. The report highlights the increasing national trend in safeguarding concerns, with Kent's figures also showing an increase. It details the statutory duties of local authorities in safeguarding, the role of the Kent and Medway Safeguarding Adults Board (KMSAB), and efforts to improve data recording and the quality of referrals. The update will also cover work undertaken in relation to the Care Quality Commission (CQC) Improvement Plan and future developments, such as a proposed notification pathway for providers to manage low-level concerns.

Health and Wellbeing Board and Neighbourhood Health Plan

The committee will consider the future role and working of the Kent Health and Wellbeing Board (HWB). Following national reforms and the dissolution of Integrated Care Partnerships, the HWB is set to become a more central strategic partnership forum. The report outlines challenges identified with the current board, including its perceived lack of functionality, and proposes opportunities for its reimagining. A key focus will be the development of a local Neighbourhood Health Plan (NHP), a requirement stemming from the national Neighbourhood Health Framework, which aims to improve health outcomes, reduce inequalities, and decrease hospital admissions. The plan, due for implementation in April 2027, will be developed over the coming year, with the HWB taking a leading role. Discussions are also expected regarding the membership and working methods of the HWB to enhance its effectiveness.

Blue Badge Update

An overview of the Blue Badge Service will be presented, detailing application demands, key achievements, and challenges. The report notes a continued year-on-year increase in applications, exceeding the service's capacity. It highlights that while Kent County Council (KCC) is the largest Blue Badge authority in England, national guidance on the fee and badge duration is outside of KCC's control. The update will cover KCC's tiered assessment model, its role in national discussions with the Department for Transport (DFT), and ongoing service priorities such as demand management and workforce resilience.

Update on Adult Social Care Campaigns

The committee will receive an update on two key adult social care campaigns: Working carers: someone's listening and Know how to start. The Working carers campaign aims to support carers balancing paid employment with their caring responsibilities, providing information and resources for both carers and employers. The Know how to start campaign focuses on encouraging individuals who would likely engage with adult social care services to access preventative services earlier by raising awareness of available support, local groups, and activities. The updates will cover campaign summaries, achievements, media coverage, and future plans for engagement and development.

Work Programme

Finally, the committee will review its Work Programme, noting upcoming items for future meetings.