The Adult Social Care Scrutiny Commission of Leicester City Council was scheduled to discuss a range of important topics, including the Care Quality Commission's inspection of the Integrated Crisis Response Service, updates on support for carers, and progress on the Autism and Neurodiversity Delivery Plan. The meeting was also set to cover the implications of the Employment Rights Act 2025 and the findings of the LLR LeDeR Annual Report.

Integrated Crisis Response Service: Care Quality Commission Inspection

The commission was scheduled to receive a report detailing the outcome of the Care Quality Commission's (CQC) inspection of the Leicester City Council Integrated Crisis Response Service (ICRS). The report indicated that the ICRS had received an 'Outstanding' rating, with all five key areas assessed by the CQC—Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive, and Well-led—rated as outstanding. This represents an improvement from its previous 'Good' rating in 2018. The report highlighted the service's rapid response to individuals experiencing crises at home, such as falls, aiming to prevent hospital admissions and facilitate timely hospital discharges. The CQC report, available as CQC Inspection of ICRS, noted the service's person-centred approach, effective coordination with multi-agency partners, and positive feedback from service users and staff. The report recommended that the commission note the findings and commend the efforts of the ICRS staff and managers.

Support for Carers

An update on carers' work in Leicester was scheduled for discussion, outlining key priorities for the next nine months. This included findings from CQC and peer reviews, the development of a new Carers Strategy for 2026-2030, and details on the commissioned Carers Support Service delivered by Age UK. The report, titled Scrutiny Report Carers 23.04.26 v3 FINAL, was set to detail short breaks for carers and projects funded by the Accelerating Reform Fund, such as the Carers Emergency Support Plan and Hospital Discharge Grant. The report also mentioned a new Guide for Carers and the process for carers' assessments. Previous feedback from a CQC inspection in July 2025 had identified areas for improvement, including long wait times for carer assessments and inconsistencies in their application. The report indicated a commitment to co-production in developing support for carers, with workshops and an online survey planned to gather wider input.

Autism and Neurodiversity Delivery Plan Update

The commission was due to receive an update on the Leicester City Adult Social Care Autism and Neurodiversity Delivery Plan for 2024-2026. The report, ASC Scrutiny ReportAutism Delivery plan April 2026, focused on progress made, particularly concerning the plan's first priority: ensuring that information, advice, and guidance is easy to find, reliable, and consistent for autistic and neurodivergent people. The plan aligns with the Care Act 2014, the Equality Act 2010, and the Autism Act 2009. Progress highlighted included the formation of a project delivery group, benchmarking with other local authorities, and community engagement events held during Autism Acceptance Month and Neurodiversity Celebration Week. These events aimed to improve accessibility, encourage conversations, and gather feedback on creating a more neurodivergent-friendly city. The report also noted the mobilisation of a new ADHD Support Service contract.

Employment Rights Act 2025

A report was scheduled to brief the commission on the implications of the Employment Rights Act 2025, which represents significant changes to employment protections. The report, ERA Scrutiny Report 2026 V1.2 LJ 1, outlined that these reforms, phased in between 2026 and 2027, would affect workforce costs, recruitment, retention, and payroll compliance for adult social care providers. Key changes include day-one entitlement to Statutory Sick Pay, parental leave, and paternity leave, as well as expanded whistleblowing legislation and strengthened duties to prevent sexual harassment. The report noted that the establishment of an Adult Social Care (ASC) Negotiating Body and a Fair Pay Agreement (FPA) is expected to introduce nationally agreed standards for pay and conditions. The report highlighted the potential for increased costs for providers and the need for careful management of these changes, particularly for smaller providers with limited HR capacity.

LLR LeDeR Annual Report Summary 2025

The commission was set to consider the LLR LeDeR Annual Report Summary 2025, which focuses on learning from the lives and deaths of autistic people and those with a learning disability in Leicester, Leicestershire, and Rutland (LLR). The report, presented by Siouxie Nelson, LeDeR Clinical Lead, detailed findings from reviews of deaths in 2024/25. It indicated that people with a learning disability continue to die at a younger age than the general population, with particular concerns regarding health inequalities for those from ethnic minority backgrounds and individuals with severe or profound learning disabilities. Respiratory issues remained the leading cause of death for people with learning disabilities. For autistic people, suicide, misadventure, or accidental death was the most common cause of death. The report highlighted concerns regarding the application of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and low uptake of cancer screening. It also included important statements and recommendations for system planning to address these issues and reduce health inequalities.

Work Programme

The commission was also scheduled to review its work programme, as detailed in the ASC work programme draft 2025-26. This included considering suggestions for future agenda items, such as the use of AI for complaints analysis, supported living arrangements, and quality assurance processes. Items agreed to be added to the programme included consideration of AI for complaints, supported living (potentially as a joint item with the Children and Young People Scrutiny Commission), and quality assurance processes.