The Adult Social Care and Public Health Cabinet Committee is scheduled to convene on Wednesday, 6 May 2026, to discuss a range of important updates and performance reports. Key topics include the Adult Social Care Performance Dashboard, an update on adult safeguarding, and plans for the Health and Wellbeing Board.

Adult Social Care Performance Dashboard

The committee is set to review the Adult Social Care Performance Dashboard, which will provide an overview of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for the period of January to March 2026. The report indicates that while some KPIs are rated green, others are amber, and one is red, partly due to recent inspections and homes awaiting outcomes. Activity levels are noted as high, with safeguarding concerns remaining elevated. The dashboard also covers the number of care and support plan reviews completed, the average cost of new support packages, and the proportion of older people remaining at home after hospital discharge. The report will also present the new suite of indicators and targets for 2026/2027.

Adult Safeguarding Update

An update on adult safeguarding is scheduled, aiming to provide the committee with an overview of the processes, current context, and strategic and operational perspectives. This includes details on partnership arrangements and key challenges. The report highlights national concerns raised by Baroness Casey regarding safeguarding, leading to recommendations for a review of statutory duties and the establishment of a national safeguarding board. Locally, the report will detail the number of safeguarding concerns received by Kent Adult Social Care, noting an increase from the previous year. It will also cover key safeguarding activities, partnership working with the Kent and Medway Safeguarding Adults Board (KMSAB), and efforts to improve consistency of practice and relationships with providers. Future developments include exploring a notification pathway for providers to manage low-level concerns and ongoing improvements to the online safeguarding concern form.

Health and Wellbeing Board Development

The committee will receive an update on the future role and working of the Kent Health and Wellbeing Board (HWB). Established in 2013 to improve health and wellbeing and reduce health inequalities, the HWB's role has evolved with the introduction of Integrated Care Partnerships (ICPs). With ICPs now ending, the HWB is expected to take a more central role, particularly in developing a local Neighbourhood Health Plan. A review led by the Local Government Association identified challenges such as stark health inequalities and the board's current lack of functionality, alongside opportunities to reimagine its purpose. Proposed priority areas for the HWB include the Neighbourhood Health Plan, the Better Care Fund, the Marmot Coastal Region initiative, and action around mental health.

Neighbourhood Health Plan

A report will be presented on the Neighbourhood Health Framework and the development of a Neighbourhood Health Plan (NHP). The national framework aims to improve health outcomes, reduce inequalities, and keep people well at home by focusing on prevention, proactive care, and strengthened primary and community services. It outlines objectives for improving health outcomes, access to general practice, patient experience of planned care, and urgent and emergency care performance. The framework also details reform agendas for routine healthcare, proactive care, and alternatives to hospital care. Locally, the Health and Wellbeing Board will lead the development of the NHP, which is expected to commence implementation in April 2027. The plan will align with the existing Kent and Medway Integrated Care Strategy and will be informed by the Kent Prevention Framework and the Marmot Coastal Region initiative.

Blue Badge Update

The committee will receive an update on the Blue Badge scheme, which provides statutory parking concessions for individuals with severe mobility issues. The report will cover application demands, key achievements, and challenges. Kent County Council (KCC) is noted as the largest Blue Badge Authority in England, receiving a significant number of applications annually. The report highlights ongoing demand growth outpacing capacity and discusses the tiered proportionate assessment model used by KCC. Key challenges include areas outside of KCC's control, such as the badge fee and duration, which require legislative change by the Department for Transport. The report also touches upon the potential loss of parking revenue due to the concessions.

Update on Adult Social Care Campaigns

An update will be provided on two adult social care campaigns: Working carers: someone's listening and Know how to start. The Working carers campaign aims to reassure carers balancing work and caring responsibilities that support is available and to help businesses understand the legal rights of family carers. It draws on feedback from carers and highlights the challenges they face. The Know how to start campaign aims to encourage individuals who would likely engage with adult social care services to access preventative services earlier by making them aware of available resources and local groups. This campaign targets older adults, family carers, and working-age adults with vulnerabilities.

Work Programme

The committee will also review its Work Programme, noting standing items and upcoming reports for future meetings.