Agenda and minutes

To receive apologies for absence from those Members who are unable to attend the meeting.

Apologies for absence were received on behalf of Councillor Jo Lawson, Councillor Darren O’Donovan and Kim Taylor (Co-optee)

Councillor Bill Armer was appointed Chair for the meeting.

Members will be asked to say if there are any items on the Agenda in which they have any disclosable pecuniary interests or any other interests, which may prevent them from participating in any discussion of the items or participating in any vote upon the items.

No interests were declared.

Most agenda items take place in public. This only changes where there is a need to consider exempt information, as contained at Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972. You will be informed at this point which items are to be recommended for exclusion and to be resolved by the Panel.

All agenda items were considered in public session.

The Panel will receive any petitions and/or deputations from members of the public. A deputation is where up to five people can attend the meeting and make a presentation on some particular issue of concern. A member of the public can also submit a petition at the meeting relating to a matter on which the body has powers and responsibilities.

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 10, Members of the Public must submit a deputation in writing, at least three clear working days in advance of the meeting and shall subsequently be notified if the deputation shall be heard. A maximum of four deputations shall be heard at any one meeting.

No deputations or petitions were received.       

To receive any public questions.

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 11, the period for the asking and answering of public questions shall not exceed 15 minutes.

Any questions must be submitted in writing at least three clear working days in advance of the meeting.

No public questions were received.

To receive and update on the outcome of the CQC Inspection report and rating for Adult Social Care.

Contact: Alexia Gray, Head of Quality, Standards and Safeguarding Partnerships (Adults and Health)  Tel: 01484 221000.

The panel received a presentation on the CQC’s Inspection report and rating for Adult Social Care.

Michelle Cross, Executive Director of Adults Social Care, Cath Simsms. Service Director for Adults Social Care Operation, Saf Bhuta, Service Director, Strategic Commissioning, Partnership and Provider Services, Jill Greenfield, Service Director, Communities and Access Services and Alexia Gray, Head of Quality Standards & Safeguarding advised that the Care Quality Commission (CQC) had carried out an inspection of Adults Social Care Services in Kirklees with onsite visits over 3 days from 26^th May 2025.  The overall outcome of the inspection was that Kirklees Adult Social Care Services ‘required improvement’ with a score of 59, falling just short of a ‘good’ rating which would have required a minimum score of 63.

The presentation provided an update on the wide areas of strengths, along with areas for development, and how these would be addressed.  Most of the areas were already being actioned through a multi-year change programme focused on redesigning pathways, integrating services, considering commissioning needs and investing in digital and community-based solutions.

Questions and comments were invited from Members of the Health and Social Care, and Children’s Scrutiny Panels, and the following was raised:

• Adults Social Care had signed up to the National Social Care Workforce Race Equality Standards with the Executive Director overseeing the work,
• Plans were to include inclusive recruitment, training, leadership development and workforce data analysis,
• Officers confirmed website improvements were a priority as residents found the council’s website difficult to navigate, especially regarding services and equipment. A lack of information left residents feeling confused and unsupported,
• Emphasis was placed on communicating earlier with residents, so that individuals and carers knew their entitlements before crisis point,
• Digital access was to be improved but not relied on exclusively,
• Library hubs, phone contact through Kirklees Direct and Social Worker presence in the community was available to residents,
• The Improvement Plan would be built through wide consultation with communities, partners and staff, with work underway to simplify pathways and make processes clearer,
• Peer review feedback on preparing for Independence showed the need to start planning from the age of 14, with work being undertaken on a 12-month programme to strengthen early planning and tracking or young people,
• Better long-term commissioning would reduce out-of-area placements and the “Cliffe Edge” families faced at transition,
• Work was ongoing with providers for accommodation for young adults to ensure the right kind of accommodation was flexible and progression-focused,
• There was less of an issue regarding buildings for young adults, it was more about alignment between housing, social care and providers,
• It was noted that the needs of younger adults were now more complex with some having a combination of learning difficulties, mental health and forensic needs,
• Kirklees had improved its reablement and intermediate care model regarding hospital discharges. Challenges remained around consistency and capacity pressures,
• End of life support largely sat with health partners, though social care provided equipment and support where appropriate,
• Fast-track pathways ensured that people known to services  ...  view the full minutes text for item 33.

The Panel to review its work programme and agenda plan for 2025/26.

Contact: Nicola Sylvester, Principal Governance and Democratic Engagement Officer.  Tel: 01484 221000.

The Panel reviewed the work programme for 2025/26 and suggested that End of Life Care be added to the work programme for 2026/27.

RESOLVED- That the work programme be noted.