To provide the committee with the interim report and recommendations of its task and finish group looking into the demand for adult social care in Herefordshire.

The committee considered the interim report and recommendations of the Adult Social Care Demand Task and Finish Group. The Chair of the task and finish group introduced the report and outlined the group's work since its establishment in December 2025. Members noted that a final report would be presented to the committee in December 2026. The committee heard that the review had examined the drivers of adult social care demand, the capacity of the council to meet that demand, and identified recommendations focused on prevention, partnership working, housing, data collection and funding.

The principal points of the subsequent discussion are summarised below:

1. The Chair highlighted the group's findings that demand for adult social care continued to increase, with expenditure increasing at a faster rate. Particular concern was raised regarding the growth in demand from working-age adults and the need to better understand the factors driving increased costs.

2. Members discussed Recommendation 1 regarding data collection and information sharing. It was noted that significant gaps remained in the council's understanding of the pathways individuals followed through adult social care and associated preventative services. Members emphasised the importance of agreeing a consistent approach to data collection across organisations in order to better understand demand, outcomes and service effectiveness.

3. The committee highlighted the importance of understanding what happened to individuals following contact with the adult social care front door. Members noted that many people were signposted to alternative support, including Community Connectors and voluntary sector services, but further evidence was required to understand outcomes and assess whether preventative interventions were reducing future demand.

4. The Director of Public Health explained that individuals presenting at the front door could be referred to Community Connectors where appropriate. It was noted that Community Connectors remained a relatively new initiative and further work would be required to evaluate outcomes and demonstrate impact.

5. Members discussed the potential value of developing performance dashboards and improved reporting arrangements. It was suggested that stronger data could help identify trends, pressures and opportunities for intervention, as well as support future commissioning decisions.

6. The committee considered Recommendation 2 concerning self-funders. Members recognised the value of engaging with residents at an earlier stage to support financial planning and improve understanding of future demand. Discussion took place regarding how earlier conversations could assist individuals and families in preparing for future care needs.

7. In response, the Corporate Director Community Wellbeing advised that the council already operated a self-funder brokerage service. It was noted that Recommendation 2 highlighted the importance of engaging with self-funders at an earlier stage and provided an opportunity to strengthen that work. Members heard that a significant proportion of care home residents funded their own care arrangements and that improved engagement could support future planning.

8. Members discussed the importance of understanding future demand arising from self-funders whose financial circumstances may change over time. It was suggested that, where individuals and families were willing to share information, this could help improve forecasting and financial planning.

9. Discussion then turned to Recommendation 3 concerning housing and adult social care. Members emphasised the importance of supporting people to remain independent in their own homes for as long as possible and agreed that housing and social care services should operate as a more integrated system.

10. Members highlighted examples of housing adaptations, assistive technology and preventative measures which enabled residents to remain safely at home and reduce the likelihood of requiring more intensive services. It was noted that early intervention often provided better outcomes for residents whilst helping manage demand on services.

11. The committee discussed the role of technology-enabled care and assistive technology in supporting independence. Members suggested that developments in technology, including opportunities presented by artificial intelligence, could play an increasing role in helping people remain safely within their own homes for longer.

12. Concerns were raised regarding digital connectivity and broadband provision in some rural areas. Members noted that reliable connectivity would be important if technology-enabled care solutions were to be adopted more widely across the county.

13. The committee considered Recommendation 4 relating to Talk Community and Community Connectors. Members welcomed the preventative approach but stressed the importance of developing robust evaluation arrangements to demonstrate effectiveness and value for money.

14. Members noted that although case studies and testimonials were valuable, a stronger evidence base would be required to demonstrate whether preventative services were reducing demand for statutory social care services and generating savings across the wider system.

15. Discussion took place regarding the role of the voluntary and community sector in supporting vulnerable residents and tackling loneliness and isolation. Members recognised the contribution made by local organisations and acknowledged that many preventative interventions took place outside formal council services.

16. The Cabinet Member for Adults, Health and Wellbeing referred to examples of community activity across the county and highlighted the positive contribution made by local groups operating through Talk Community and related initiatives. Members noted the importance of building on existing community strengths and recognising that different communities may wish to organise support arrangements in different ways.

17. Members observed that loneliness and social isolation remained significant challenges across the county and noted that community groups frequently provided essential support which might otherwise fall to public services.

18. In considering Recommendation 6, members discussed the importance of understanding the wider landscape of organisations, partnerships and preventative services operating across Herefordshire. It was suggested that a clearer understanding of responsibilities, overlaps and gaps would assist future planning and support more effective partnership working.

19. The committee further noted that stronger evidence regarding outcomes from preventative services would help demonstrate value and support future funding decisions. Members recognised the importance of being able to demonstrate avoided costs where interventions prevented escalation to formal care services.

20. Members discussed Recommendation 7 concerning national social care reform and agreed that many of the challenges identified by the task and finish group reflected wider national issues. It was noted that Herefordshire's experience could help inform national discussions regarding social care funding and reform.

21. The Cabinet Member for Adults, Health and Wellbeing congratulated the Chair and members of the task and finish group on the work undertaken to date and welcomed the report's focus on prevention, partnership working and long-term sustainability.

22. The committee heard that further discussions would take place with officers and partners ahead of publication of the final report in December 2026. It was anticipated that the final report would provide additional detail and refinement of the recommendations, although no substantial changes to their overall direction were expected.

The Chair thanked officers, stakeholders and members of the task and finish group for their support throughout the review.

Resolved:

That:

a) the interim report of the Adult Social Care Demand Task and Finish Group be noted;

b) the underlying principles of the recommendations contained within the report be approved; and

c) a final report be presented to the committee on 14 December 2026.