The Health and Wellbeing Board was scheduled to meet to discuss a range of issues including mental health for young people, drug and alcohol strategy, and the progress of the Making Manchester Fairer plan. The board was also scheduled to receive an update on the Care Quality Commission's (CQC) assessment of adult social services in Manchester.

Here's a summary of the topics that were listed on the agenda for discussion:

CQC Assessment of Adult Social Services

Bernadette Enright, Executive Director of Adult Social Services, was scheduled to present a report on the CQC's upcoming assessment of adult social care in Manchester. The report noted that the CQC intended to assess all adult social care authorities in England by December 2025, measuring their effectiveness under the Care Act 2014. Manchester's assessment had already begun with the submission of a self-assessment report and information return on 1 August. The final phase was scheduled to include a site visit by the CQC starting 8 December 2025, involving discussions with senior political and corporate management, staff, partners, and stakeholders. The CQC would also access a sample of citizen records and interview those who consented.

The report stated that the committee was to note:

The preparations underway by Adult Social Care The on-site inspection with CQC commencing 8 December

Children and Young People's Mental Health and Wellbeing

The Director of Public Health was scheduled to present a Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA) on the mental health and wellbeing needs of children and young people in Manchester. The JSNA aimed to bring together information and evidence on what is needed to prevent mental ill-health and promote good mental health and wellbeing for children and young people of all ages. The report noted that there is strong evidence that promoting good mental health and wellbeing and preventing mental ill-health for children, young people and adults requires system-wide approaches that address family, community and society-level factors as well as individual-level factors. The JSNA outlines the wider determinants affecting children and young people's mental health and wellbeing, summarises local data on mental health issues, and shares insights from children and young people about their lived experiences and priorities.

The Board was to consider supporting opportunities for further action described in the JSNA.

Drugs and Alcohol Strategic Update

The Director of Public Health was scheduled to provide an update on the city's drug and alcohol strategy. The update included discussion of funding received through the drug and alcohol treatment and recovery improvement grant (DATRIG) to improve access to treatment and recovery programmes. The report stated that Manchester continues to meet or exceed targets set for specific substance types, with the exception of opiates, and that plans are in place to respond to this.

The report also stated that DATRIG funding has also supported other work within the city, including improving access to services for those who sleep rough, funding residential rehabilitation places and expanding continuity of care for those leaving the criminal justice system with substance use problems, with Manchester exceeding its target in this area.

The Board was also scheduled to discuss Manchester's strategic approach to alcohol related harms, including the city's contributions to the Greater Manchester Alcohol Harms strategy 2025-2030, and its framework, A SAFER GM¹.

The Board was to consider the key achievements of the DATRIG grant, endorse Manchester's strategic approach to alcohol related harms, and comment on the information in the report.

Making Manchester Fairer Refreshed Action Plan and Approach

The Director of Public Health was scheduled to present an update on the Making Manchester Fairer plan, including a refreshed action plan. The Making Manchester Fairer plan is the city's five-year strategy (2022–2027) to tackle deep-rooted health inequalities and create a fairer, healthier Manchester for all. The plan focuses on addressing the social and economic causes of poor health, such as poverty, unemployment, housing, and education.

The Board was to consider and comment on programme progress and achievements, and endorse the update to the Making Manchester Fairer Action Plan.

Safe and Healthy Beginnings Plan – Year One Progress Update

The Director of Public Health was scheduled to present a progress update on the Safe and Healthy Beginnings Plan. The Safe and Healthy Beginnings Plan is a five-year action plan aiming to work in partnership to reduce infant mortality across Manchester, from 2024 – 2029.

The Board was to note, review and comment on the progress of the Safe and Healthy Beginnings Plan in the first year of implementation, and support the opportunities for further action described in the report.

Other Business

The agenda also included standard items such as:

• Minutes from the meeting held on 4 June 2025²
• Feedback from the Manchester Partnership Board
• A verbal report on NHS Reforms and System Integration