Agenda item

To receive an update report on the implementation of the Adult Social Care Improvement Plan. The Plan was developed following the Care Quality Commission (CQC) assessment of Adult Social Care services published in February 2025.

The panel received a report and a presentation on Adults Social Care Improvement Programme.

A Member referred to the reported impact of the improvement programme and noted that the data was measured from June 2024, whereas the CQC assessment had taken place in February 2025. The Member sought clarification on whether the reference to June 2024 was accurate and, if so, what event, pressure, or incident had led to that date being used as the baseline for measurement.

Officers confirmed that the data had been provided in June 2024 and explained that this date had been used as the comparison point in order to provide a clear line of sight across a 12?month period.

In response to a question regarding the recruitment, training and retention of staff within Adult Social Care, officers outlined a range of workforce development initiatives. These included an in-house social work apprenticeship programme, delivered in cohorts, and the Social Work Officer role, which provided an entry route into the profession. Officers highlighted several examples of staff progressing from support roles into qualified social work positions through training and apprenticeship pathways.

Officers further explained that work was undertaken across the wider health and care landscape to support workforce development and integration. Opportunities were being explored to create pathways from voluntary and community sector roles into formal social care positions. A workforce development plan had been established, covering entry-level roles through to senior positions, alongside collaborative work with Haringey Works to support residents into employment within health and social care settings.

Members were informed that the recruitment and retention programme was well established and that staff retention rates remained strong. Officers reported that the average length of service for permanent staff in Adult Social Care was approximately 12 years and that turnover rates remained low. Officers stated that this demonstrated the authority’s ability to recruit and retain high-quality staff.

Officers also highlighted supported internship opportunities for residents with learning disabilities and graduate development initiatives. It was noted that over 130 members of staff had completed more than 20 years of service, reflecting a highly experienced workforce. Officers described engagement with these long-serving employees as valuable in capturing organisational knowledge and supporting workforce development.

It was further noted that a number of team managers and operational managers had progressed internally from social worker roles. Officers advised that case studies demonstrating career progression had been shared with CQC and offered to present further information on workforce development at a future meeting.

In response, a Member welcomed the examples provided and expressed interest in reviewing the case studies. The Member noted that an inspection had recently taken place and recognised the significant amount of improvement work undertaken over the previous 18 months. The Member stated that it would be useful to understand the inspectors’ findings once available and highlighted the importance of strengthening the links between housing services and the aids and adaptations programme to improve efficiency and maximise value for money.

Officers responded that work was already underway through a dedicated aids and adaptations working group. It was explained that the objective was to ensure that the appropriate professionals carried out the functions best aligned to their expertise, with Adult Social Care focusing on occupational therapy assessments while housing colleagues led on surveying and building works. Officers confirmed that this formed part of the three-year Adult Social Care improvement plan and acknowledged that further work remained to be undertaken in this area.