The Children, Adults, Health and Wellbeing Policy Development and Scrutiny Panel were scheduled to meet on Monday 15th September 2025. Items on the agenda included a presentation on the Employment Inclusion Service, an update from the B&NES, Swindon & Wiltshire Integrated Care Board (BSW ICB), and a report on the progress of the Care Quality Commission (CQC) Action Plan. The panel was also expected to discuss the findings of the Children and Young People Health & Wellbeing Survey.

CQC Action Plan Update

The panel were scheduled to receive an update on the Adult Social Care (ASC) Improvement Plan, which addresses findings and areas for improvement identified in the CQC Local Authority Assessment Report for B&NES from January 2025, which gave the council a Requires Improvement rating.

The ASC Improvement Plan is structured around the CQC's four assessment themes:

• How the Local Authority Works with people
• Providing Support
• How the Local Authority ensures safety within the system
• Leadership

The plan included nine priority areas for improvement, delivered through 15 projects.

The report pack included an update on progress between May and August 2025. This stated that, at the time of the CQC data return, 128 people were waiting for a Care Act Assessment¹. By 18 August, this had been reduced to 71. The report also noted a reduction in the number of people waiting for Deprivation of Liberty (DoLS) authorisation, from 509 in January to 469 in August. The Occupational Therapy (OT) waiting list had also reduced, from 229 in January to 80 in August, which the report attributed to the opening of a new OT Assessment Centre and the engagement of agency staff.

ASC are currently using a case audit tool which quality assures the work of our frontline operational teams. Part of this process includes seeking feedback from the individual receiving services, or in some cases their representative, regarding the experience of their contact with ASC. Of the 19 responses received so far, 89% rated their experience as positive.

ASC Improvement Plan Report Sept 2025

The panel were also scheduled to discuss an Equalities Impact Assessment (EQIA) that had been undertaken for the ASC Improvement Plan. The EQIA noted that the plan aims to improve outcomes for people who draw on care and support, aligning with the council's core purpose of 'Improving People's Lives'.

Children and Young People Health & Wellbeing Survey

The panel were scheduled to discuss the findings of the Schools Health and Wellbeing Survey (SH&WS). Bath & North East Somerset Council commissions the Schools Health Education Unit (SHEU) to deliver the biennial survey, which uses the Health Related Behaviour Questionnaire (HRBQ). The survey aims to capture the voices of children and young people and provide data on their health, wellbeing, and behaviours.

The survey questions cover a range of themes, including healthy weight, school travel, dental health, sexual health, substance use, emotional health, personal safety and injuries.

The latest survey results available were from 2024, with 2,036 primary-aged children and 3,299 secondary school pupils taking part.

Positive trends since the 2022 survey included improvements in life satisfaction, dental health, and self-esteem, as well as a decrease in alcohol consumption among secondary pupils. Areas of concern included high rates of vaping, worry and anxiety, self-harm, and poor nutrition.

The survey also highlighted inequalities affecting vulnerable groups, such as pupils eligible for Free School Meals (FSM), those with SEND², young carers, children looked after, and those identifying as LGBTQ+³. These groups consistently reported lower self-esteem and life satisfaction, higher levels of worry and self-harm, greater exposure to risky behaviours, lower engagement in physical activity, and increased fear of going to school due to bullying.

B&NES, Swindon & Wiltshire Integrated Care Board (BSW ICB) Update

The panel were scheduled to receive an update from the B&NES, Swindon & Wiltshire Integrated Care Board (BSW ICB) on current issues.

The report pack included information on the appointment of Rob Whiteman as the new Chair of the Dorset, Somerset and BSW integrated care board cluster. It also noted that Sue Harriman, the ICB's Chief Executive Officer, would be leaving the organisation at the end of September 2025.

The report also provided an overview of how decisions around local pharmacy provision are made, noting that NHS England uses the Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment (PNA) when making judgements on applications to make changes to a local community's pharmacy provision.

Other items in the report included:

• Hospital passports for members of the Gypsy, boater and traveller communities who have a learning disability and/or autism
• Further opportunities to find out more about new Trowbridge Integrated Care Centre
• Update on region's new £20 million specialist mental health facility, The Kingfisher
• Call for pregnant women and young children to get vaccinated against flu

Cabinet Member Update

The Cabinet Member(s) were scheduled to update the Panel on any relevant issues.

The report pack included an update on Adult Social Care, including updates on Newton House, Community Support Recommissioning, and Carers EQIA.

With regard to Regulated services, the report noted that the 5 Extra Care schemes remain rated as 'good' by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) and the 2 Care Homes are rated overall as 'requires improvement' but with good in key areas such as 'caring' and 'responsive'. It also noted that a new Registered Manager for Cleeve Court has been appointed and will commence in post on 17th September 2025.

With regard to Public Health, the report included updates on:

• Cool Spaces
• Chlamydia and gonorrhoea testing
• Drug and alcohol services
• Be Well B&NES
• Holiday Activity and Food Programme (HAF)

Other items

The agenda also included:

• Welcome and introductions
• Emergency evacuation procedure
• Apologies for absence and substitutions
• Declarations of interest
• To announce any urgent business agreed by the chairman
• Items from the public or councillors to receive statements, petitions or questions relating to the business of this meeting
• Presentation: Employment Inclusion Service / Vocational Hub for Adults
• Minutes from 14th July 2025
• Panel Workplan