The Health and Adult Social Care Scrutiny Committee is scheduled to consider the recommissioning of vital children's services, review a new partnership agreement for the Better Care Fund, and discuss the outcomes of a recent Care Quality Commission inspection of Adult Social Care. The committee will also review its forward plan and track actions and recommendations from previous meetings.

Recommissioning of Children's Services

A significant item on the agenda is the recommissioning of three key services for children and young people: the Healthy Child Programme (0-19 years), the Best Start Service (0-5 years), and Universal and Targeted Services for Children (0-5 years) and their Parents. These contracts are due to end on 30 June 2027, with recommissioning expected to take place through a competitive tender process between July and September 2026. The report highlights that these services are crucial for improving child health, safeguarding, and reducing health inequalities across Waltham Forest. The committee will be asked to provide oversight and accountability for this process, ensuring services remain effective, safe, equitable, and responsive to local needs, and to offer feedback on commissioning priorities at a formative stage. The report notes that Waltham Forest is home to approximately 68,500 children, with significant challenges including 44% living in income-deprived households and rising levels of overcrowding and temporary accommodation use. Workforce pressures are also acute, with health visiting and school nursing teams exceeding recommended caseloads.

New Section 75 Partnership Agreement for the Better Care Fund

The committee is set to review a proposal to enter into a new Section 75 (s.75) Agreement between the North East London (NEL) Integrated Care Board (ICB) and the London Borough of Waltham Forest (LBWF) for the delivery of the Better Care Fund (BCF). This agreement is a statutory requirement for the pooling of budgets and joint working arrangements designed to integrate health and social care. The BCF focuses on services such as hospital discharge and intermediate care, aiming to deliver person-centred care and support independent living. The current agreement is due to expire on 31 March 2026, necessitating a new agreement from 1 April 2026. In 2025/26, Waltham Forest's BCF allocation was £41.5 million, funding a variety of health and social care interventions. The proposed new agreement will be open-ended with mutually agreed termination clauses and will also encompass wider partnership arrangements for other pooled funds, including Section 117 Aftercare and the Integrated Community Equipment Service (ICES).

Adult Social Care CQC Local Authority Assurance Outcome

An update will be provided on the Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspection of Waltham Forest Council's Adult Social Care services, which achieved an overall rating of 'Good'. The report reflects the department's commitment to innovation, learning, and improving outcomes for residents, highlighting strong local partnerships with health services. However, the report also acknowledges areas identified for improvement, and an action plan has been developed to address these findings. This plan is being integrated into the wider Adult Social Care Transformation Programme. The committee will be asked to note the inspection outcome and provide feedback on the draft CQC action plan. Key areas for improvement identified include safeguarding, carers' assessments, the timeliness of assessments and access to services, safe pathways and transitions, and the consistency and quality of practice.

The Scrutiny Report

The committee will review its Forward Plan for the remainder of the municipal year, with two meetings remaining. Members are invited to suggest any further items for the 2024-25 cycle. The committee will also review the Action Tracker, which details actions required of officers from previous meetings, and the Recommendations Tracker, which outlines the committee's conclusions on service improvements. A table of key decisions falling under the committee's remit, as published in the Cabinet Forward Plan, will also be presented. This includes the S75 Agreement – Better Care Fund which is scheduled for Cabinet on 17 March 2026.