The People Committee meeting on 26 February 2026 saw the committee receive a positive report on the Short Term Assessment and Reablement Team (START), which was rated good by the Care Quality Commission (CQC). The committee also discussed plans to enhance early years support through Sutton's Family Hubs and a new Best Start in Life offer, and received an update on the development of a new Day Services Commissioning Strategy.

Short Term Assessment and Reablement Team (START) CQC Assessment Outcome

The committee received a highly positive report on the outcome of the Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspection of the Short Term Assessment and Reablement Team (START). The service, which provides short-term care and support to individuals following hospital discharge or in the community, achieved an overall rating of good, with good ratings across all assessment areas: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive, and Well-led. This rating is particularly commendable as START is an in-house service with a broad remit, often compared to private sector home care agencies that do not have such a wide scope.

Performance data highlighted the effectiveness of the START service, with over 70% of people supported no longer requiring social care support afterwards, and 86% of older people remaining at home 91 days after hospital discharge. These figures significantly outperform national averages.

Key areas of strength identified by the CQC included robust safeguarding measures, a commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion, and the high quality of staff, who received positive feedback for their training, support, and person-centred approach. The report also noted that residents felt involved in their care assessments and were supported to maintain their independence.

Two areas for improvement were noted in conversation with inspectors: continuity of staff and signposting to other support services. The report indicated that these have already been addressed by the service. The committee noted the report and the positive outcomes for residents.

Sutton's Family Hubs and Best Start in Life Offer

The committee received an update on the development of Sutton's Family Hubs and the Best Start in Life offer, which aims to improve the developmental outcomes for children aged five and under. The report highlighted that currently, 69% of children in Sutton achieve a Good Level of Development (GLD) by the end of their reception year, with a target to increase this to 78.2% by 2028. A significant gap exists for disadvantaged children, with only 49% currently achieving GLD, and a target of 59% set for this group.

The council plans to build on its existing four Family Hubs by implementing a more targeted outreach approach, extending parenting support, and commissioning new initiatives focused on home learning environments, play, and language development. Improved information-sharing agreements across partner agencies are also a key focus to ensure seamless support pathways for families.

The committee was asked to note the high-level priorities for the Best Start in Life offer and to agree to explore proposals for a new SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) Family Hub in Central Sutton, potentially utilising the site at 3 Robin Hood Lane. Councillors discussed the ambitious nature of the targets, the importance of accessible locations for Family Hubs, and the impact of technology on children's play. The report was noted, and the proposal to explore the development of an additional SEND Family Hub was agreed.

Update - Day Services Commissioning Strategy

An update was provided on the development of the Day Services Commissioning Strategy, which aims to shape the market for day opportunities and ensure that services meet the needs of Sutton's residents. Day services encompass a wide range of support, from lunch clubs to more formal care settings, and are accessed by both council-commissioned clients and self-funders.

The strategy development has involved extensive engagement with service users, providers, and stakeholders. Key themes emerging from this engagement include the need for increased market capacity for older adults with complex needs, particularly those with dementia, and for younger adults with complex needs, especially those who are autistic. There is also a demand for increased availability of services during evenings and weekends.

The report highlighted that day opportunities are not a regulated service by the CQC, which presents a gap. The strategy aims to develop co-produced quality standards to address this. The council also highlighted its in-house provider, the Sutton Inclusion Centre, which is part of the strategy development.

The committee was asked to note the progress and provide feedback on recommended priorities. The committee agreed to the draft priority areas, with an amendment to explicitly state that these were draft priorities identified to date. The final strategy will be brought back to the committee in the autumn. Discussions also touched upon the need for better geographic spread of services, improved referral processes, and the potential for veterans to be better supported within existing day services.