Agenda and minutes

The Chair welcomed all attendees to the meeting and explained the fire evacuation procedure.

There were no declarations of interest received at this point in the meeting.

The minutes of the Adult Social Care and Health Scrutiny Panel meeting held on 1 December 2025 were submitted and approved as a correct record.

SUSPENSION OF COUNCIL PROCEDURE RULES – ORDER OF BUSINESS

In accordance with Council Procedure Rules 4.8.1 (d) and 4.8.25 (iii) the Chair proposed a motion to change the order of business at the meeting.  The motion proposed was that Agenda Item 7 ‘Overview and Scrutiny Board Update’ be heard next.

AGREED that the order of business for the remainder of the meeting be items 7, 5, 6, 8 and 9.

The Chair provided an update on items discussed at the Overview and Scrutiny Board meeting held on 18 December 2025 which included updates from:

•         The Executive Member for Adult Social care on activity progress within the portfolio.

•         The Executive Member for Finance and the Director of Finance and Transformation regarding Council’s finance position at Quarter 2, 2025/2026.

•         The Mayor on the Council’s performance position at Quarter 2, 2025/2026, and presented the draft budget and the medium-term financial plan.

NOTED.

The Panel received a quarterly update on progress against the Adult Social Care CQC (Care Quality Commission) Improvement Plan, presented by the Adult Social Care Service Improvement Manager. 

Members were advised that the CQC assessment had resulted in adult social care services being rated ‘requires improvement’, which triggered the development of a formal Improvement Plan aligned to the CQC’s assessment themes.  The CQC report had been published in February 2025, and progress against the Improvement Plan was monitored through the Improvement Programme Board and Councils scrutiny.  It was also noted that the quarterly progress updates submitted to the Department of Health and Social Care had resulted in de-escalation from formal monitoring. 

The Service Improvement Manager outlined the structure of the Improvement Plan, which consisted of one corporate project, six directorate level projects, and several key initiatives and business-as-usual improvements.  Governance arrangements included oversight through the Programme Management Office (PMO), monthly reporting to the Programme Board, and risk and performance monitoring through project plans and Risk, Assumptions, Issues and Dependencies (RAID) logs.

Key focus areas arising from the CQC report were highlighted, including developing a clear vision and strategy, improving support for unpaid carers, and strengthening the workforce strategy with an emphasis on:

•         Equality, diversity and inclusion.

•         Tackling digital exclusion.

•         Enhancing the promotion and visibility of services.

•         Embedding partnership working.

•         Undertaking a deep-dive review of homelessness and related vulnerabilities.

Members were informed that these priorities had been translated into formal projects with clear delivery and governance arrangements.

Additional initiatives included the development of a new performance framework, the rollout of transcription tools to support social workers, and the implementation of a conversational approach to wellbeing and care planning. 

During discussion, Members explored how the Improvement Plan aligned with the wider Council Plan and directorate priorities.  It was confirmed that the plan was being reviewed jointly with the Programme Management Officer Lead to ensure alignment with corporate objectives and that performance measures were consistent with the Local Government Outcomes Framework.

Members welcomed the emphasis on restoring a strength based, relational approach to social work practice.  The Director of Adult Social Care and Health Integration explained that the ‘Three Conversations’ model had been integrated across teams, supported by regular team huddles and reflective practices.  This approach focused on understanding individual needs, strengths, and aspirations, which had represented a shift away from process driven practice.  The rollout of this model was described as a significant milestone in improving practice and culture.

The use of digital tools and transcription software was discussed.  Members were advised that mobile technology and transcription tools supported social workers to spend more time with service users and less time on administrative tasks.  Early evidence suggested improved recording quality and increased direct contact time.  While the primary benefit was improved capacity and quality rather than direct savings, baseline data was being developed to evidence time savings and cost avoidance.

In response to questions on digital inclusion, Members were informed that work was underway with partners to refurbish donated digital  ...  view the full minutes text for item 25/44

The Panel received an overview for the second topic-focused scrutiny item for the 2025/2026 municipal year; Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) - How to Tackle It.  This was presented by the Domestic Abuse Strategic Lead, who provided an outline of the local strategic approach, current activity and challenges.

At the outset, the Strategic Lead advised that the presentation had been prepared prior to the Christmas period and ahead of the publication of the Government’s national VAWG strategy. At the time of preparation, there was no agreed national definition of VAWG, and therefore reference had been made to the United Nations definition, which describes VAWG as any act of gender-based violence that results in, or is likely to result in, physical, sexual or psychological harm or suffering to women and girls, including threats of such acts, coercion or arbitrary deprivation of liberty, whether occurring in public or private life. It was noted that it was hoped the national strategy would provide greater clarity and consistency in definition going forward.

Members were advised that the local VAWG approach focused on:

•         Supporting victims and survivors.

•         Prevention and education.

•         Professional Training.

•         Partnership Working.

•         Engagement to address perpetration.

Examples of behaviours captured within VAWG were outlined by the Strategic Lead, with Members advised that these included a wide range of abusive behaviours and that the list was not exhaustive, reflecting the breadth and complexity of violence experienced by women and girls.

Information was provided about the range of commissioned services available, including independent domestic violence advocacy, housing related support, counselling services for children and young people, safe accommodation provision, and support for individuals with complex needs, including those with immigration or language barriers.

The Strategic Lead addressed common myths and misconceptions associated with VAWG, including assumptions that violence is most likely to be perpetrated by strangers, occurs predominantly at night, or is associated with particular backgrounds or communities. It was emphasised that such myths obscure the reality of abuse and can create barriers to prevention, reporting and effective intervention.

The Panel noted the emphasis on early intervention and prevention, particularly through work in schools, colleges and universities.  Members were informed that education programmes exposed gendered expectations, equality, healthy relationships, consent and boundaries; with delivery taking place across several primary and secondary schools.  Social action projects and work with further and higher education institutions were also highlighted as part of a wider preventative approach. 

Further detail was provided on education-based prevention activity. Members were advised that work with schools focused on challenging socially constructed views, gendered expectations and inequality. It was reported that 29 of 49 primary schools had participated in this work, reaching 3,605 pupils, with sessions exploring elements of toxic relationships, respect, boundaries, consent and healthy relationships. In secondary education, 6 of 8 schools had participated, reaching 2,173 pupils. Social action projects were also referenced, alongside engagement with two colleges and the local university.

Mandatory training for professionals across adult and children’s services was discussed, including the development of partnership wide  ...  view the full minutes text for item 25/45

The next meeting of the Adult Social Care and Health Scrutiny Panel was scheduled for 23 February 2026 at 4:00pm in the Spencer Room, Middlesbrough Town Hall.

NOTED.

NONE.