Agenda item

To receive a presentation providing assurance on robust processes for Kirklees Adults Social Care.

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

The panel received a presentation from Adult Social Care outlining their approach to risk management and provided assurance that robust processes were in place to identify, manage, control, mitigate, and escalate risks.

The presentation covered the governance structure for risk oversight, including monthly and quarterly meetings across service leadership, risk management groups, and corporate executive levels. Risk discussions and submissions had been coordinated through a structured cycle involving Heads of Service, the Social Care Leadership Team, and the Executive Leadership Team, ensuring that emerging and existing risks were regularly reviewed and escalated where necessary.

Alexia Gray, Head of quality standards and safeguarding informed the Panel that risk identification within Adult Social Care followed a structured process using a Risk Matrix to assess both the likelihood and impact of potential risks. Risks were scored and reviewed in consultation with corporate colleagues, with controls implemented to reduce either the probability or severity of the risk. The Risk Matrix included detailed criteria across financial, legal, reputational, and service provision domains, with scoring scales to guide prioritisation and response. This framework enabled consistent evaluation and monitoring of risks across the directorate.

One risk had been recorded on the Corporate Risk Register. This risk related to the potential failure to adequately safeguard vulnerable adults due to increased complexity, referral volumes, and limited-service capacity. The risk had been scored at 8 using the matrix and was owned by the Service Director for Adult Social Care Operations. A range of controls had been implemented, including safeguarding policies, mandatory training, multi-agency escalation pathways, strategic representation, and governance through the Kirklees Safeguarding Adults Board. The panel was assured that safeguarding remained a priority, with continuous review and improvement embedded in operational practice.

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

• Assurance was sought regarding risk management arrangements for commissioned and arms-length organisations. It was confirmed that robust monitoring processes were in place, including early escalation procedures and partnership working with Care Quality Commission and Integrated Care Board colleagues.
• The panel queried the reference to fraud risk. It was clarified that fraud risks were reviewed across directorates and typically related to direct payments and provider claims, with strong checks and balances in place.
• Members asked how many risks were currently recorded at the directorate level. It was confirmed that Adult Social Care had six risks and Strategic Commissioning and Partnerships had seven, none of which were rated red.
• Examples of directorate-level risks included ensuring quality care planning and managing demand around Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS), with mitigations such as revised audit cycles, practice and quality groups, and updated signatory systems.
• It was confirmed that risks were monitored monthly across both areas, with collective oversight to ensure controls remained effective.
• The panel acknowledged the importance of maintaining visibility of risks that may be unlikely but could have significant impact if realised.

RESOLVED –

1)    That Alexia Gray be thanked for the presentation and great work that was being undertaken

2)    That the Risk Management Report be noted.