To receive apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were received from Cllr Pauline Crockett, Cllr Jenny Bartlett, and Cllr Mark Dykes.

To receive details of any councillor nominated to attend the meeting in place of a member of the committee.

Cllr Elizabeth Foxton was present as the named substitute for Cllr Pauline Crockett, Cllr Helen Heathfield was present as the named substitute for Cllr Jenny Bartlett, and Cllr Louis Stark was present as the named substitute for Cllr Mark Dykes.

To receive declarations of interest in respect of items on the agenda.

No declarations of interest were made.

To receive the minutes of the meeting held on Monday 27 January 2025.

The minutes of the previous meeting were received.

Resolved: That the minutes of the meeting held on 27 January 2025 be confirmed as a correct record.

To receive any written questions from members of the public.

A document containing questions received from members of the public and the responses provided was published as a supplement to the agenda on the Herefordshire Council website.

To receive any written questions from members of the council.

No questions had been received from councillors.

This report and its appendices provide information to support the Health, Care, and Wellbeing Scrutiny Committee’s scrutiny of the West Mercia Police ‘Right Care, Right Person’ policy.

The committee considered a report on West Mercia Police’s ‘Right Care, Right Person’ (RCRP) policy.

The slide pack was published as part of agenda: Link to the 'Appendix 1 for West Mercia Police 'Right Care, Right Person' policy. The slides presented by the Assistant Chief Constable (West Mercia Police) are outlined below (in italics), with the principal points noted below.

A The Assistant Chief Constable introduced the presentation and welcomed the opportunity to update the committee on the policy of ‘Right Care, Right Person’. The committee was advised that the policy has evolved over time since its inception as ‘Most Appropriate Agency’ in 2023.

B The Assistant Chief Constable presented:

RCRP in a nutshell

b.1 Clarifications were provided around what assistance is provided by the agency which is most appropriate to deliver the required service or support that is required.

b.2 The Assistant Chief Constable noted that the police is often the requested service to deliver a particular service, however, there are situations where an alternative agency would be more appropriate to deliver that service.

b.3 RCRP has evolved since its creation by Humberside Police and whilst the police remain as the default first responder in most cases, other agencies who are more appropriate to deal with other calls, such as health, are able to deal with those situations. This can help improve outcomes, and ensure that the right care is therefore delivered by the right person.

RCRP

b.4 RCRP involves collaboration with a number of different agencies with an emphasis on tailored responses to individual needs, where possible.

MAA - > RCRP

b.5 West Mercia Police’s adoption of RCRP began with ‘Most Appropriate Agency (MAA)’ in April 2023. It has since been changed to become more aligned with the national RCRP approach.

b.6 ‘RCRP+’ continues this approach but goes further where the principles of the policy are applied to other areas where other agencies may be better suited to delivering specific services.

Understanding our Legal Responsibilities

b.7 The policy of RCRP aligns responses with the police’s legal duties and other appropriate agency roles.

Understanding Demand?

b.8 With demand being higher in certain areas, it is even more important to ensure that the right skills, training, expertise, and experience are matched to the specific needs of individuals.

b.9 The response required, therefore, will be different according to which agency can best respond.

Concerns and Emerging Narrative

b.10 The reporting of RCRP has caused some concern amongst partners and the public, however, it is important to note that RCRP is not primarily about reducing demand for policing and the police will still have an involvement in mental health and concern for welfare cases where it is needed.

b.11 Collaboration with other agencies and partners is about identifying gaps in service provision, especially as this can help address needs that are better served by other agencies.

b.12 It is important to note that the policy of RCRP can still vary according to location and therefore it accounts for different structures, geographies and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 37.

This report and its appendices provide information to support the Health, Care, and Wellbeing Scrutiny Committee’s scrutiny of the council’s services to meet the housing needs of working age adults with additional needs.

The committee considered a report on Supported housing for working age adults with additional needs.

The slide pack was published as part of agenda: Link to the Appendix 1 for Supported housing for working age adults with additional needs. The slides presented by the officers are outlined below (in italics), with the principal points noted below.

A The Head of Service Living Well introduced the presentation on Supported housing for working age adults with additional needs.

B The Head of Service Living Well presented:

What is supported living / housing?

b.1 It was noted that supported living as a flexible service model offering tailored support for independence under the Care Act 2014.

b.2 There are differing models for supported living and they may include individual or shared housing options.

Objectives of this Scrutiny Meeting

Current care and support by primary client group

b.3 The total number of people living in supported living is 185 and are broken down into the different categories according to primary client group.

Future demand based on identified need – 18+

Future provision and demand continued

b.4 It was noted that there is approximately 17 people who may need a Supported Living, residential or nursing service when they transition to Adults services.

b.5 Development of a commissioning strategy for working age adults in 2025/26 will include accommodation needs and will be aligned to the new Supported Housing strategy.

C The Strategic Housing Manager presented:

Housing Market Area Needs Assessment – Future Demand

c.1 There is a Housing Market Area Needs Assessment conducted every five years and the current assessment covers the period of 2020-41.

c.2 There has been a large increase in the number of older people with dementia and mobility problems whilst changes for young people are smaller. This reflects the projections that older age groups are expected to see the greatest proportional increases in population.

c.3 Regarding accommodation, the Corporate Director Community Wellbeing added that the focus is on the flexibility of accommodation being built/taken on through RPs so that homes exist for people of different conditions. The numbers that exist, as represented in the slide, help to inform future plans but are adaptable if they change.

Sourcing Accommodation in Herefordshire

c.4 It was clarified that as a non-stock holding local authority, the council is reliant on Registered Providers (RP) for housing stock and it works closely with a range of RPs to try meet demand.

c.5 In order to secure accommodation for a range of vulnerable groups, the Strategic Housing Team works in collaboration with social care.

c.6 In response to a comment on the opportunity of building suitable accommodation for different vulnerable groups, the Corporate Director Community Wellbeing noted that there will likely be a mixture of provision.

Applying for Affordable Accommodation

c.7 It was noted that there is a balancing act between negotiating accessible homes as part of the overall affordable stock. Regulations for homes are moving on all of the time and there are a lot of homes that  ...  view the full minutes text for item 38.

The committee to consider forming a working group according to the terms of reference on the topic of All-age carers’ strategy action plan.

The committee considered the formation of a working group to scrutinise development of the All-Age Carers’ strategy action plan; the draft terms of reference were attached to the report: Link to Appendix 1.

The Statutory Scrutiny Officer presented the report and explained the background to the All-age carers’ strategy which was presented to Cabinet in 2024 where it was suggested that the Health, Care, and Wellbeing Scrutiny Committee may wish to look at the action plan that would underpin the strategy. It was agreed that this work would be done as a working group as the working group is chaired by a layperson. It was felt that less formal idea-sharing would foster greater discussion and any findings could then be formally presented to the committee thereafter.

Resolved:

That the committee form a working group according to the terms of reference attached to the report at Appendix 1.

To consider the work programme for Herefordshire Council’s Health, Care and Wellbeing Scrutiny Committee for the municipal year 2024/25.

The Statutory Scrutiny Officer noted the draft work programme for the Health, Care, and Wellbeing Scrutiny Committee for the municipal year 2024/25.

Resolved that:

The committee agree the work programme for Health, Care, and Wellbeing Scrutiny Committee contained in the work programme report attached as appendix 1.

Date of the next scheduled meeting: Monday 31 March 2025, 2.00 pm

The next scheduled meeting in public was confirmed as Monday 31 March 2025, 2.00 pm.