The Adult Care and Health Policy Development and Scrutiny Committee met on Tuesday 31 March 2026 to discuss the council's budget monitoring, capital programme, contract performance for Extra Care Housing, and the Joint Care Home Programme. Key decisions included noting a projected overspend in the Adult Care and Health portfolio budget, approving changes to the capital programme, and noting the consistent performance of Extra Care Housing providers.

Tackling Loneliness Strategy Action Plan Update

The committee received an update on the progress of the Tackling Loneliness Strategy Action Plan 2022-2026. Key achievements highlighted included the successful application process for the £1.1 million Innovation Fund, which will support grassroots organisations working with seldom-heard communities. Clarion Futures continues to deliver social activities and digital support, while intergenerational links are being fostered through initiatives like the Spark Festival. The committee discussed the evolution of the Tackling Loneliness Workshop, with plans to incorporate it into Member induction and potentially offer tailored refresher courses. The positive impact of the Befriending Service, with 100% of clients reporting increased confidence and reduced isolation, was also noted.

RESOLVED: That the progress made in delivering the Tackling Loneliness Strategy Action Plan 2022–2026 be noted.

Pre-Decision Scrutiny of Adult Care and Health Portfolio Holder Reports

2025/26 Q3 Budget Monitoring Report

The committee reviewed the Q3 budget monitoring report for the Adult Care and Health Portfolio, which indicated a projected net overspend of £9,348k on controllable expenditure. This figure represented a slight improvement from the previous quarter. The main areas contributing to the overspend were Assessment & Care Management (£8,569k), Mental Health (£710k), and Learning Disabilities (£85k). Despite ongoing pressures, particularly concerning care packages and placements, the report noted modest improvements across several areas, which was seen as an encouraging trend during the winter period. The committee was assured that two vacant posts within the Integrated Commissioning Service had been filled and that processes were in place to manage direct payments effectively.

RESOLVED: That the Portfolio Holder be recommended to note the projected net overspend of £9,348k on controllable expenditure based on information as of December 2025.

Capital Programme Monitoring - Quarter 3 2025/26

A report on the Capital Programme Monitoring for Q3 2025/26 was presented. The committee was informed that the only capital scheme currently within Adult Social Care was the Astley Day Centre refurbishment. The £531k allocated to this scheme was specifically for fitting out the building, funded by a ring-fenced grant from a 2008 transfer, intended for adults with learning disabilities. The primary building works were being funded through Property Services budgets.

RESOLVED: That the Portfolio Holder be recommended to note the changes agreed by the Council's Executive on 11th February 2026.

Contract Monitoring Report - Extra Care Housing Schemes

The committee received a contract monitoring report on the Extra Care Housing (ECH) schemes, detailing the performance of providers Creative Support and Mears Extra Care Ltd. Both providers were consistently meeting the council's standards and CQC ratings for all five ECH schemes remained 'Good'. Service user feedback and quality assurance reports indicated positive experiences, with Creative Support schemes achieving 100% satisfaction and Durham House also reporting 100% satisfaction. Crown Meadow Court, managed by Mears, had seen a recent improvement in resident satisfaction following the appointment of an experienced Scheme Manager, with feedback from monitoring visits indicating residents were happy with the care received. The committee noted that this would be the final monitoring report before new retendered contracts commence on 1 August 2026.

RESOLVED: That the following be noted:

• i.) the information contained within the report in relation to the provider performance of these two contracts, and that both providers are consistently meeting the Council's standards under the contract; and,
• ii.) this will be the final monitoring report prior to the commencement of the retendered contracts on 1st August 2026. The new contract award was approved by Executive on 11th February 2026.

Joint Care Home Programme Update

An update on the Joint Care Home Programme was presented, highlighting the collaborative efforts between Bromley Council, NHS South East London Integrated Board (SEL ICB), and other One Bromley organisations. Key achievements included 90% of care settings being rated 'Good' or better by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), and significant reductions in hospital conveyances following the One Bromley Falls Campaign. The programme has also seen the embedding of the RESTORE2™ deterioration management tool and advanced digital maturity among Bromley's care settings, with high adoption rates for the Data Security & Protection Toolkit (DSPT), NHSmail, and Digital Social Care Records (DSCR). The rollout of Universal Care Plans (UCP) and the London Care Record (LCR) is enabling safer, more coordinated care. Priority work areas for 2026/27 include improving hospital discharge quality, future-proofing the care market, enhancing UCP quality, and improving dementia and delirium pathways.

RESOLVED: That the following be noted:

• i.) 90% of care settings are rated Good or better by CQC through integrated quality assurance and support;
• ii.) securing short- and long-term capacity within the market through block and spot contracts and exploring council owned provision and strengthening the strategic approach through commissioning and brokerage integration;
• iii.) a significant reduction in conveyances following the One Bromley Falls Campaign;
• iv.) Multi-disciplinary team (MDT) intervention delivering wide-ranging impact including increased Universal Care Plan (UCP) usage and reduced 999 calls;
• v.) RESTORE2™ (deterioration management tool) embedded across settings with strong engagement and CPD-accredited training;
• vi.) Bromley care settings are leading in SEL digital maturity including Data Security & Protection Toolkit (DSPT), NHS mail and Digital Social Care Records (DSCR) adoption;
• vii.) UCP & London Care Record (LCR) rollout enabling safer, more coordinated care across settings and,
• viii.) the priority work areas for 2026/27:
  • Improving hospital discharge quality (via SEL workstream)
  • Future proofing the market (via proposed Market Management & Development Group)
  • Improving Universal Care Plan Quality and usage
  • Joining up and enhancing dementia and delirium pathways and services

Questions on the Adult Care and Health PDS Information Briefing

The committee noted the information briefing, which included minutes from the Health Scrutiny Sub-Committee and Health Scrutiny Briefing meetings, an update on the Adult Services Transformation and Improvement Programme, and the Contract Register.