27 May 2026: Health, Social Care and Wellbeing Committee

A meeting of the Health, Social Care and Wellbeing Committee will take place in the Council Chamber, Glenurquhart Road, Inverness on 27 May 2026 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.    Service Achievements    
Coileanaidhean Seirbheis

An update will be provided at the meeting.

4.    Delivery Plan Monitoring & Progress Update – Person Centred Solutions Q4 25/26            
Cunntas air Sgrùdadh & Adhartas a’ Phlana Lìbhrigidh – Fuasglaidhean Stèidhichte air an Neach R4 25/26

There is circulated Report No HCW/07/26 by the Assistant Chief Executive – People.  

The Committee is invited to:

i.    scrutinise and note the Delivery Project updates provided in this report; and
ii.    note and agree the proposed changes to the workstream headings set out in paragraph 5.5.

5.    Fostering Update (CAN Digital)        
Cunntas às Ùr mu Dhaltachd (CAN Didseatach)

There is circulated Report No HCW/08/26 by the Assistant Chief Executive – People.  

The Committee is invited to note:

i.    the national and local context for foster care recruitment and retention, including the sustained challenges facing the fostering service;
ii.    the additional resources being directed towards the Fostering Service; and
iii.    the range of improvement actions being undertaken to improve performance

6.    Adult Social Care Assurance and Strategic Update      
Barantas agus Cunntas Ro-innleachdail mu Chùram Sòisealta Inbheach    

There is circulated Report No HCW/09/26 by the Assistant Chief Executive – People.  

The Committee is invited to note the contents of the report.

7.    Update on Highland Domestic Abuse Service – Procurement Progress and Next Steps Including Review’s on Refuge and MARAC and Support for Victim – Survivors   
Cunntas às Ùr mu Sheirbheis Droch-Dhìol Teaghlachail na Gàidhealtachd – Pròiseas Solarachd is Ath Cheumannan a’ Gabhail A-steach Ath-sgrùdaidhean mu Thèarmann agus MARAC agus Taic airson Luchd-fulaing

There is circulated Report No HCW/10/26 by the Assistant Chief Executive – People.  

The Committee is invited to note:

i.    the current position in relation to outreach provision, with specific reference to HDAS South;
ii.    progress with the review of refuge services; 
iii.    in relation to MARAC, the review work being undertaken to agree future delivery arrangements; and 
iv.    the continuation of existing arrangements during the review period for all services relating to domestic abuse.

8.    Performance Quarterly Performance Monitoring Report 
Aithisg Sgrùdadh Coileanaidh Ràitheil  
    
There is circulated Report No HCW/11/26 by the Assistant Chief Executive – People.  

The Committee is invited to:
i.    scrutinise and note the performance information for the Health, Social Care and Wellbeing; and
ii.    note the change to FOI reporting to align with Chief Officer structure.  

9.    Highland Children's Services Partnership Plan 20026 - 2029    
Plana Com-pàirteachais Seirbheisean Chloinne na Gàidhealtachd 2026–2029

There is circulated Report No HCW/12/26 by the Assistant Chief Executive – People.  

The Committee is invited to note:

i.    the work undertaken by the Integrated Children’s Service Plan Board in producing the Draft - Highland Children’s Services Partnership Plan 2026 - 2029. This plan will be formally signed off by the Community Planning Partnership Board; and
ii.    provide comment on the plan which has been approved by the Integrated Children’s Services Planning Board.

10.    National Review & Public Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation
Ath-sgrùdadh Nàiseanta & Rannsachadh Poblach mu Dhroch-Dhìol is Dubh-shaothrachadh Feiseil air Cloinn  

There is circulated Report No HCW/13/26 by the Assistant Chief Executive – People.  

The Committee is invited to note:

i.    the scope of the National Review; and
ii.    the commencement of the Public Inquiry.

11.    National Social Work Agency and Scottish Social Work Partnership
Buidheann Nàiseanta Obrach-sòisealta agus Com-pàirteachas Obrach-sòisealta na h-Alba    

There is circulated Report No HCW/14/26 by the Assistant Chief Executive – People.  

The Committee is invited to:

i.    note the creation of the National Social Work Agency and the Scottish Social Work Partnership; and
ii.    agree further updates will come to Committee with regard workforce developments and practice improvements in social work – on a national and local level.

12.    Minutes                          
Geàrr-chunntas

The following Minutes are circulated for noting:-

i.    Highland Council / NHS Highland Joint Monitoring Committee held on 4 December 2025; 
ii.    Highland Violence Against Women Partnership held on 28 October 2025; and
iii.    Child Protection Committee held 30 October 2025.