Agenda item

To receive updates from the Chairs of the Select Commission on work undertaken and planned for the future:

·       Health Select Commission

·       Improving Lives Select Commission

·       Improving Places Select Commission

At its meeting on 20 November 2025, the Health Select Commission scrutinised the draft Adult Social Care Mental Health Strategy 2026–29. Members discussed issues including rising depression rates in Rotherham, transition pathways, integration with housing and health partners, support for minority groups, loneliness, male suicide rates, and success measures. The Commission supported recommending Cabinet approval of the strategy and requested a delivery plan with measurable targets and KPIs, a mid-point update in 2027, early involvement in future strategy development, and provision of detailed data on loneliness and male suicide rates. Contact between Rotherham Speak Up and Autism services was also requested.

The Commission also considered the Rotherham Place Partners Winter Plan 2025–26, reviewing preparedness for winter pressures. Discussions covered GP contract changes, industrial action, ambulance response times, flu peaks, escalation processes, and discharge delays. Members requested improvements to the accessibility of the plan and agreed to share research on reducing slips and trips in care settings with the ICB.

Updates were provided on the work programme. The Access to Contraception Review had completed evidence gathering in October and was drafting recommendations. A joint workshop with the Improving Lives Select Commission on 28 November examined the draft All Age Carers Strategy 2026–31, focusing on challenges for young carers, systemic barriers, financial support, and KPIs. Members supported recommending Cabinet approval with amendments to include local data and strengthen early identification of young carers. Actions included reviewing the associated action plan in 2026/27, receiving a mid-point update in 2028/29, and early involvement in future strategy refresh. Arrangements were also underway for a site visit to the Same Day Emergency Care Centre at TRFT in early 2026 ahead of a performance update in March.

The next HSC meeting on 22 January 2026 was scheduled to consider the Rotherham Safeguarding Adults Board Annual Report and Strategic Plan 2025–28 and the Adult Social Care CQC Inspection.

At its meeting on 2 December 2025, the Improving Lives Select Commission reviewed the Fostering Transformation Programme, considering changing sufficiency needs for children and young people in care and the Council’s response to the tragic death of Marcia Grant, including the formal Prevention of Future Deaths report following the July 2025 inquest. Members also received the Rotherham Safeguarding Children’s Partnership Annual Assurance Report for 2024–25, which outlined key partnership activity, impact against strategic priorities, Child Safeguarding Practice Reviews, and the effectiveness of safeguarding arrangements.

Updates were provided on the work programme. A dual workshop session was being arranged on the Threshold of Need, including a visit to the Rotherham Parent Carers Forum, to review vision and plans and strengthen community voice. A workshop on the PAUSE Project, which supports women who have had children removed, was planned for late February or early March, and a Children’s Capital of Culture workshop on impact and legacy for young people was scheduled for late March or early April. The Safeguarding Adults Board Strategic Plan and Annual Report would be considered by the Health Select Commission on 22 January 2026, with an invitation extended to Improving Lives members. The scope of the Trauma and Children Missing Education Scrutiny Review was agreed on 1 December and would now proceed.

Future meetings were scheduled to include the Ofsted Inspection Outcome and Educational Attainment Update on 10 February 2026, and on 28 April 2026, the SACRE Annual Report, Children Not in School Update, and Community Cohesion Projects Update.

There had been no further Improving Places Select Commission meeting since the last OSMB meeting. The next meeting was scheduled for 16 December 2025 to consider the Bereavement Services Annual Report and the Thriving Neighbourhoods Annual Report. Updates were provided on the work programme. The School Road Safety Review sub-group had met with RMBC Highways and Sheffield City Council officers to discuss the School Streets scheme and would next examine crossing patrol and enforcement.

The Anti-Social Behaviour workshop was scheduled for 4 December 2025, with feedback to follow. A joint Market and Library Redevelopment site visit for OSMB and IPSC members, originally planned for mid-December, was rescheduled for early 2026 due to site inaccessibility during ongoing works.