The Scrutiny Committee of the Council of the Isles of Scilly was scheduled to discuss a range of important issues, including the progress of the Children's Services Improvement Plan, the adoption of a new Community Risk Management Plan for the Fire & Rescue Service, an update on the housing crisis, and developments regarding the Integrated Health Facility and Adult Care Services.

Children's Services Improvement Plan

A report was scheduled for discussion regarding the progress of the Children's Services Improvement Plan. This plan was developed following an Ofsted assessment that judged Children's Services as inadequate in 2023. The report was intended to provide a summary of progress against the plan's actions, offer a realistic assessment of current performance, and highlight areas of risk and those requiring additional focus. The plan had been revised following an Ofsted monitoring visit in March 2026, which indicated a decline in performance. The revised plan aimed to be more accurate and evidence-based, with a focus on four core themes: The Right Help at the Right Time (Working Together) , Child's Voice and Social Work Practice , Effective Services and Provision , and Leadership, Management and Quality Assurance . Key priority actions included embedding Working Together to Safeguard Children 2026 across partnerships, implementing a consistent Early Help approach, developing a multi-agency Early Help offer, improving data and quality assurance systems, strengthening multi-agency safeguarding practice, and ensuring the quality of child protection enquiries. The report noted that the revision of the plan had led to a downgrading of most progress ratings, with 43.5% of actions showing little or no progress and 46.15% showing work started but with timescales at risk. The impact of individual improvement actions was also assessed, with 87.2% rated as red (little or no progress/at risk). Despite these challenges, the report highlighted key areas of progress in safeguarding practice, multi-agency working, leadership, and workforce development, including the implementation of the Mosaic electronic database system.

Isles of Scilly Fire & Rescue Service Community Risk Management Plan

The committee was set to consider a proposal for the Isles of Scilly Fire & Rescue Service (IOSFRS) to adopt a 5-year Community Risk Management Plan (CRMP), moving away from the current 3-year cycle. This change aligns with the national framework for fire and rescue services, which requires authorities to identify and assess risks and outline mitigation strategies. The move to a 5-year plan was expected to offer benefits such as improved strategic planning, greater stability and continuity in service delivery, efficiency gains by reducing the frequency of plan redevelopment, and better alignment with external partners who often operate on longer-term cycles. The plan would continue to be reviewed annually to ensure it remains current and responsive to changing risks. The CRMP would be developed and delivered in-house by IOSFRS, which was seen as a financially efficient approach that leverages local knowledge and expertise.

Housing Delivery Update on Housing Crisis

An update on the housing crisis and progress on housing delivery for the Isles of Scilly was scheduled for discussion. The Council had declared a housing crisis in January 2022, and this report aimed to provide the current situation regarding housing need and the delivery of new homes. The Local Plan identifies a requirement for approximately 105 new homes between 2015 and 2030, but only 26 out of 75 granted permissions had commenced or been completed by March 2026. The housing register indicated a need for 41 homes, with a further 41 individuals on a self-build register. A Housing and Economic Needs Assessment report highlighted that local housing needs were not being met, with residents experiencing issues such as damp, mould, overcrowding, and reliance on short-term or makeshift accommodation. The report also noted that the true scale of hidden homelessness was likely underreported, with some workers reportedly living in tents during the summer season. The report detailed progress on various housing delivery sites, including social rented homes at Carn Thomas, self-build plots adjacent to Ennor Farm, and the redevelopment of Park House. Discussions were also underway with a mainland housing association for potential developments on the off-islands, and the Duchy of Cornwall was working on further social housing units and new shop with accommodation projects on St Agnes and St Martins.

Update on Integrated Health Facility and Adult Care Services

The committee was due to receive an update on the new integrated health and social care facility, the 'Isles of Scilly Health and Care Partnership', which was nearing completion in 2026. This development aims to modernise service delivery through an integrated model of care, bringing together multidisciplinary teams to provide coordinated, person-centred services. Weekly Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT) meetings involving health, social care, and medical services were already in place to facilitate integrated working and timely responses to emerging situations. A shared co-working space had been established to encourage collaboration between Adult and Children's Services, and social care staff would relocate to the new facility once operational. The report also addressed the transition to 'Islands' View', the new residential care home, which had been delayed due to a CQC inspection identifying the need for further work to meet regulatory standards. A revised CQC application was submitted in June 2026.

The report also provided an overview of Adult Care Services, noting the significant ageing demographic and rising prevalence of complex care needs on the Isles of Scilly. The current care home, Park House, operates at full capacity, and demand for domiciliary care services has increased. The Adult Care Services team is operating with a mix of permanent and agency staff, with ongoing recruitment challenges and a review of pay levels underway to attract local individuals. The repurposing of Park House as staff accommodation was approved to address recruitment barriers. Consideration was given to developing a day service at Islands' View, but limitations in space meant it could not be registered for such provision. The report also highlighted that due to full occupancy, there would be no flexibility for respite or emergency admissions at the new care home, requiring mainland arrangements for such cases. The report acknowledged the need for dementia care services, with Islands' View registered to provide care for mild to moderate dementia, but not advanced cases. Community expectations for care services were noted to exceed current capacity, and a clear, realistic local offer was being developed. The report also detailed financial implications, primarily related to the reliance on agency staffing, and legal implications concerning compliance with the Care Act 2014, Mental Health Act, and CQC standards.