The Health and Adult Social Care Scrutiny Commission met on Tuesday 24 February 2026 to discuss learning disabilities services in Newham and receive updates on emerging issues. The Commission noted the report on learning disabilities and resolved to consider whether any further matters require attention. The Commission also noted the absence of representation from the North East London Integrated Care Board and the Chair's intention to write to its Chair.

Learning Disabilities

The Commission received a report on learning disabilities services in Newham. The report highlighted the council's commitment to supporting residents with learning disabilities to live healthy, safe, and fulfilling lives. A key focus of the discussion was the council's Learning Disability Action Plan, which is currently being reviewed and refreshed.

Data presented indicated that as of December 2025, there were 2,382 Newham residents on the Northeast London Integrated Care Board's Learning Disability Register, with 928 receiving Adult Social Care services. The report highlighted demographic data showing disproportionality in the ethnicity profile of residents with learning disabilities, with White British and Black African residents being overrepresented, while Asian Bangladeshi residents were underrepresented. This was attributed to differences in identification, referral pathways, and access to support.

Areas for improvement identified included reviewing disparities in the take-up of Adult Social Care services by residents of global heritage to ensure culturally responsive and equitable support, and increasing local Supported Living capacity to reduce out-of-borough placements.

The Commission heard about the challenges in data extraction regarding support intensity and the ongoing market-shaping work to develop an accommodation pathway towards independence, including a new Extra Care scheme for older residents with learning disabilities. Concerns were also raised about the NHS's Continuing Health Care (CHC) assessments, with Adult Social Care noting issues with the quality and consistency of reassessments that could shift residents from NHS-funded care to the means-tested Local Authority system.

The report outlined Newham's local offer, which spans preventative support to intensive 24-hour care, with a preference for Supported Living models. Commissioning intentions for 2026/27 included deregistering care homes to create additional Supported Living capacity and exploring opportunities in Sheltered Housing. The Directorate also provides support to carers of residents with learning disabilities. The impact of two providers going into administration, Ambient Care and Vibrance, was discussed, along with the successful transfer of services to new providers.

Key challenges experienced by residents included health inequalities, misconceptions about learning disabilities, and difficulties in securing paid employment. The report highlighted that in Newham, only 2.8% of people with a learning disability are in paid work, compared to the national average of 5%.

Significant health inequalities were identified, with people with learning disabilities dying, on average, 19.5 years younger than those in the general population. Barriers to good healthcare included a lack of identification, staff understanding, and joint working. The Commission heard about local efforts to improve the take-up of annual health checks and screening for breast and bowel cancers.

Governance and accountability arrangements were described, including the Quality Assurance Team's role in monitoring service performance and the use of Green/Yellow/Amber/Red thresholds for providers. The report noted a backlog of 439 overdue reviews for residents in receipt of learning disability care, with additional resources invested to address this.

The Commission also considered how different providers and services work together, including fortnightly Dynamic Support Register meetings and a joint Adult Learning Disabilities ELFT and Council Safeguarding Adults Forum. The report detailed how residents and families access information, advice, and signposting, with a dedicated section on the Council's website and other online resources. The extent to which services are co-produced or co-designed with service users was also outlined, highlighting the work of the Learning Disability Resident Advisory Group. Approaches to address stigma, including outreach and engagement, were also discussed.

During the discussion, Councillor Joy Laguda shared her difficulties navigating the Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) process for her granddaughter. Officers explained the transition planning process from Children's Services to Adult Social Care, acknowledging the need for further outreach to identify and support residents not previously known to services. Concerns were raised about the 439 overdue annual reviews, and officers assured the Commission that residents requiring urgent support continued to receive it, with a plan to address the backlog within ten months. The availability of employment support services, including the Learning Disability and Autism Enablement Service and the Preparing for Employment service, was discussed, with plans to broaden opportunities beyond retail. The Commission heard that out-of-borough placements were sometimes necessary but that the aim was to bring people back into the borough where possible. The importance of a person-centred approach and co-production was emphasised throughout the discussion.

RESOLVED:

• That the Commission note the report on Learning Disabilities, the partner submissions, and the observations arising from the discussion, and consider whether any further matters require attention.

Emerging Matters

The Commission received updates on ongoing and emerging issues across the health and care system. A significant concern was raised regarding structural problems affecting Amber Court, a housing association-owned facility housing vulnerable residents, leading to planned moves for 40 residents. Councillor Rita Chadha assured the Commission of ongoing joint work with housing providers to ensure swift and effective partnership working.

The Commission also discussed the measles outbreak in North London, with an update on vaccination activity and local mitigation measures. Claire Greszczuk, Interim Director of Public Health, confirmed no confirmed cases in Newham since January 2026 but noted an increased risk due to rising cases in Enfield and Haringey. Efforts to promote vaccination through various channels, including faith leaders and community organisations, were highlighted.

A query was raised regarding financial incentives for GPs to prescribe weight-loss injections, with officers suggesting these were likely funded by NHS budgets. Clarification was sought from primary care colleagues.

RESOLVED:

• That the key points raised under Emerging Matters be noted.
• That the Commission note the absence of representation from the North East London Integrated Care Board and the Chair's intention to write to the Chair of the Integrated Care Board regarding this matter.
• That the update provided in relation to Amber Court be noted, including that further updates may be provided as appropriate.
• That clarification be sought from primary care regarding the funding arrangements associated with the prescribing of weight loss medications.

Close to Home - Part 3: Prevention and Early Intervention

The Commission received a report on Prevention and Early Intervention as part three of the Close to Home thematic review. Councillor Thelma Odoi questioned the data informing the Health Equity Toolkit, and officers explained its purpose in identifying inequalities and promoting equity in service delivery. The Does It Look Like Newham? tool, which compares service-user data with Office for National Statistics and NHS data, was also discussed.

Councillor Carolyn Corben questioned the examples of person-centred practice, asking about lessons learned from poorer outcomes. Fiona Connolly acknowledged that services had not always achieved desired outcomes and offered to follow up a specific resident's circumstances with housing colleagues. Simon Reid explained the development of the hospital homelessness pathway in response to increasing numbers of people experiencing homelessness.

Councillor Danny Keeling questioned the prioritisation of physiotherapy in the invest to save opportunity and asked about modelling on the cost of delayed discharge. Fiona Connolly clarified that the paper discussed an invest to save opportunity designed to test long-term cost savings, with physiotherapy being an example within the reablement model.

The Chair raised concerns about data protection and the use of information held by community pharmacies. Dalveer Singh Johal explained that hypertension case finding was a nationally commissioned service, while cholesterol testing was a local initiative. He supported the idea of community pharmacies taking on a greater screening role permanently.

The Commission questioned the efficacy of the high-risk panel and requested an example demonstrating its impact. George Kouridis explained that the panel enabled monitoring of complex cases requiring a multi-agency, holistic approach. Fiona Connolly added that officers often heard concerns about anti-social behaviour and that it was a complex issue.

Councillor Adeola Agbebiyi explained that work was underway to strengthen community health conversations and mini health checks, supported by NHS ring-fenced inequalities funding. The Chair expressed concern about gaps in integration across the health and care system.

RESOLVED: That the Commission note the report on Close to Home Part Three and the partner submissions.

Minutes

The Commission considered and agreed the minutes of the meeting held on 13 January 2026 as a correct record.

RESOLVED: That the minutes of the Health and Adult Social Care Scrutiny Commission meeting held on 13 January 2026 be agreed as a correct record.

Work Programme

The Commission reviewed suggestions for the 2026/27 work programme. Key themes identified for future scrutiny included the Carers strategy, cooperation and partnership with the voluntary, community, and faith sector (VCFS), interdepartmental communication and multi-agency working, and concerns relating to pollution and its impact on residents' health.

RESOLVED: That the Commission note the suggestions made in relation to the work programme for 2026/27, including:

• The Carers Strategy;
• Cooperation and partnership with the voluntary, community, and faith sector;
• Inter-departmental communication and multi-agency working, including safeguarding processes; and
• Concerns relating to pollution and its impact on residents' health.