Agendas, reports and minutes

A meeting of the Health, Social Care and Wellbeing Committee will take place in the Council Chamber, Glenurquhart Road, Inverness on 20 August 2025 at 9.30am.

Webcast Notice: This meeting will be filmed and broadcast over the Internet on the Highland Council website and will be archived and available for viewing for 12 months thereafter.

You are invited to attend the meeting and a note of the business to be considered is attached.

Yours faithfully

Stewart Fraser
Chief Officer – Legal and Corporate Governance

Business

1.    Calling of the Roll and Apologies for Absence 
Gairm a’ Chlàir agus Leisgeulan

2.    Declarations of Interest/Transparency Statement
Foillseachaidhean Com-pàirt/Aithris Fhollaiseachd

Members are asked to consider whether they have an interest to declare in relation to any item on the agenda for this meeting.  Any Member making a declaration of interest should provide some information on the nature of the interest and leave the meeting at the appropriate time.  Advice may be sought from officers prior to the meeting taking place.

3.    Recess Powers
Cumhachdan Fosaidh

The Committee is asked to note that the recess powers granted by the Council at its meeting on 26 June 2025 did not require to be exercised in relation to the business of the Health, Social Care and Wellbeing Committee.

4.    Service Achievements    
Coileanaidhean Seirbheis

An update will be provided at the meeting.

5.    Health and Care (Staffing) (Scotland) Act 2019 – Annual Report         
Achd Slàinte agus Cùraim (Luchd-obrach) (Alba) 2019 – Aithisg Bhliadhnail

There is circulated Report No HCW/13/25 by the Assistant Chief Executive – People.  

The Committee is invited to note the annually mandated report by The Highland Council on the implementation of the Health and Care (Staffing) (Scotland) Act 2019.

6.    Annual Workforce Plan    
Plana Bliadhnail Luchd-obrach

There is circulated Report No HCW/14/25 by the Assistant Chief Executive – People.  

The Committee is invited to note the:-

i.    Health and Social Care workforce planning progress report and updated action plan; 
ii.    positive outcomes from the report, including:
a.    continued success of trainee programmes for Social Workers (both undergraduate and postgraduate), Health Visitors, and School Nurses, supporting workforce development and succession planning;
b.    the turnover rate of staff has reduced from 14.7% in 2023 to 10.5% in 2024;
c.    in mitigation of the high level of social work vacancies and subsequent risk, the role of Social Work Assistants (HC8) has been successfully introduced to alleviate some of the delivery pressures from Social Workers (currently on a fixed term basis). This alternative method of service delivery reduces the number of qualified Social Workers required whilst allowing the service time to evaluate the effectiveness of this role; 
d.    the implementation of the Person-Centred Solutions portfolio; and
iii    continuing risk highlighted in this report and reflected in the Corporate  Risk Register. This relates to the high vacancy rate that continues with Children’s Services and the impact this is having on service delivery and the wellbeing of the workforce. 

7.    Care Reform Bill    
Bile Ath-leasachaidh a’ Chùraim

There is circulated Report No HCW/15/25 by the Assistant Chief Executive – People.  

The Committee is invited to note the:-

i.    passing of the Care Reform (Scotland) Bill by Scottish Parliament; and
ii.    opportunities and challenges as currently set out in the report.

8.    Registered Services Annual Report    
Aithisg Bhliadhnail Sheirbheisean Clàraichte

There is circulated Report No HCW/16/25 by the Assistant Chief Executive – People.  

The Committee is invited to:-

i.    note the contents of the report;
ii.    scrutinise and note improvements across services, including those areas where improvement needs to accelerate to enable sustained progress across all areas of service delivery; and 
iii.    continue to agree an annual Registered Services report comes back to Committee covering future inspections outcomes.

9.    Revenue Budget Monitoring Report Quarter 1 2025/26 and Final Out-turn 2024/25                                                                                              
Aithisg Sgrùdaidh Buidseat Teachd-a-steach Ràith 1 2025/26 agus Fìor Shuidheachadh Deireannach 2024/25         

There is circulated Report No HCW/17/25 by the Assistant Chief Executive – People. 

The Committee is invited to note the:
 
i.    2024/2025 final end of year out-turn (Appendix 1 & 1a);
ii.    scrutinise and agree the forecast financial position for 2025/2026 as set out in this report and appendices (Appendix 2, 2a & 3);
iii.    explanations provided for material variances and actions taken and proposed; and 
iv.    update provided regarding savings delivery (Appendix 4).

10.    Delivery Plan and Performance Report – Q1 2025/2026     
Plana Lìbhrigidh agus Aithisg Choileanaidh – R1 2025/2026     

There is circulated Report No HCW/18/25 by the Assistant Chief Executive – People.  

The Committee is invited to:-

i.    scrutinise and note the Service’s performance and risk information; and
ii.    note the Delivery Plan progress information.

11.    Minutes                                                                                                
Geàrr-chunntas

The Minutes of the Highland Violence Against Women Partnership Group held on 6 February and 20 May 2025 are circulated for noting.