Issue - meetings

This report will outline the progress that has been made towards the ASC Improvement Plan alongside key activity that the ASC Leadership Team is undertaking to enable sustainable improvement.

Councillor Alison Born introduced the report to the Panel. She explained that the Adult Social Care Improvement Plan is aligned to specific CQC feedback and structured according to the CQC Local Authority Assessment Themes.

She stated that there are 9 improvement priorities across the four CQC Themes with 15 projects/action plans to deliver them.

Councillor Liz Hardman said that she could see a lot of positives in the report and asked if it was felt that they were able to meet the challenge of enabling sustainable improvement.

The Director of Adult Social Care replied that she believed they would be able to achieve the work set out in the Improvement Plan and was particularly proud of the work carried out so far with carers and the Carers Centre. She added that a Healthwatch survey was due to be distributed in the next month to ascertain further feedback and that the Panel would be updated on this at their January 2026 meeting.

Councillor Jess David stated that she was reassured by the report and asked if there was any indication of when the next CQC assessment might take place.

The Director of Adult Social Care replied that she expected the service to be assessed again by the summer of 2026 and that there would be a focus on public experience, with themed assessments also likely.

Councillor Lesley Mansell said that the service must do its upmost to ensure that there is a level playing field for all in terms of the co-production of services. She added that whilst the EQIA with the report was welcome, its focus was the Improvement Plan and she asked for a separate one to be provided for the service users.

The Director of Adult Social Care replied that there is a level playing field in place for co-production and that a range of communications was being used to share information with organisations such as Live Well B&NES and the Community Wellbeing Hub.

With regard to further EQIAs, she said that this was under consideration as part of their ongoing work and that they would seek to demonstrate their understanding of protective characteristics as work progresses.

Councillor Joanna Wright asked if the service had enough resources for the work they are required to do.

The Director of Adult Social Care replied that to have the contingencies available within this financial year for extra staff has been so helpful. She said that where possible staff were using new IT products / apps to aid them in their work. She explained that for the forthcoming financial year they were seeking and additional £5m of investment to assist with two continuing areas of growth, older people and transitions.

The Chair asked how often staff have to undertake equalities duty training.

The Director of Adult Social Care replied that this was mandatory for all staff on an annual basis.

Councillor Wright asked when the Panel could expect to discuss the forthcoming Council budget.

The Director of Adult Social Care replied  ...  view the full minutes text for item 34