Agenda
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A meeting of the Health, Social Care and Wellbeing Committee will take place in the Council Chamber, Glenurquhart Road, Inverness on 11 November 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.
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 is circulated separately for noting.
4. Unaccompanied Asylum-Seeking Children Update
Cunntas às Ùr air Clann gun Luchd Dìon a’ Sireadh Comraich
There is circulated Report No HCW/22/26 by the Assistant Chief Executive – People.
The Committee is invited to note the:
i. context, background, and action taken in developing an urgent response to the forecasted increase in Unaccompanied Asylum-Seeking Children (UASC) and the aligned increase in support needs, including accommodation support to provide for the holistic needs of separated children in Highland;
ii. accommodation and wider placement pressures given the lack of availability of suitable supported accommodation and ‘moving on’ tenancies for all Aftercare service users and the need to develop a revised UASC accommodation and aligned supports strategy;
iii. interplay between UASC dispersal numbers and wider asylum-seeking dispersal numbers; and
iv. excellent partnership working in supporting unaccompanied asylum-seeking children and young people in Highland.
5. Short Breaks Update
Cunntas às Ùr air Greisean Saora
There is circulated Report No HCW/23/26 by the Assistant Chief Executive – People.
The Committee is invited to:
i. note the current provision and utilisation of residential short-break services across Highland between April and September 2026, and the increase in planned provision across all three Council units, set out in paragraph 7.4 of the report;
ii. note the planned refurbishment of Orchard House and the anticipated increase of approximately 1000 additional short-break nights per annum;
iii. note the challenges associated with increasing demand, workforce recruitment and future capacity pressures; and
iv. agree that progress updates continue to be reported to Committee.
6. Adult Social Care Assurance and Strategic Update
Barantas agus Cunntas Ro-innleachdail air Cùram Sòisealta Inbheach
There is circulated Report No HCW/24/26 by the Assistant Chief Executive – People.
The Committee is invited to note the:
i. contents of the report; and
ii. commitment of the funding to date from the Adult Social Care Transformation Reserve.
7. Revenue Budget Monitoring Report
Aithisg Sgrùdaidh Buidseat Teachd-a-steach
There is circulated Report No HCW/25/26 by the Assistant Chief Executive – People.
The Committee is invited to:
i. scrutinise and agree the forecast financial position for the year as set out in the report and appendices attached to the report;
ii. note the explanations provided for any material variances and actions taken or proposed;
iii. note the update provided regarding savings delivery; and
iv. note the numbers of children accommodated by the Council and the nature of those placements in terms of the delivery of the recovery plan.
8. Chief Social Work Officer Annual Report
Aithisg Bhliadhnail Àrd-Oifigear Obrach-shòisealta
There is circulated Report No HCW/26/26 by the Assistant Chief Executive – People.
The Committee is invited to note and comment on the issues raised in the annual report and the implications for Social Work and Social Care Services within Highland Council and NHS Highland.
9. Integrated Children's Services Annual Report
Aithisg Bhliadhnail Seirbheisean Amalaichte Chloinne
There is circulated Report No HCW/27/26 by the Assistant Chief Executive – People.
The Committee is invited to note the:
i. content of the Annual Report 2025/2026;
ii. progress made by partners in delivering the priorities of the Highland Integrated Children's Service Plan 2023/2026; and
iii. continued commitment of partners to prevention, early intervention, rights-based practice and reducing inequalities for children and families across Highland.
10. Refuge Services and MARAC Review Update
Cunntas às Ùr air Seirbheisean Tèarmainn agus Ath-sgrùdadh MARAC
There is circulated Report No HCW/28/26 by the Assistant Chief Executive – People.
The Committee is invited to note:
i. the progress made with the reviews of refuge provision and MARAC; and
ii. that the final report will be presented to the February 2027 Health, Social Care and Wellbeing Committee
11. Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation Report
Aithisg air Droch Dhìol is Dubh-shaothrachadh Feiseil Chloinne
There is circulated Report No HCW/29/26 by the Assistant Chief Executive – People.
The Committee is invited to note the:
i. National Report from Phase 1;
ii. feedback provided to Highland following Phase 1 completion; and
iii. Phase 2 of the National Review has been paused in line with national activity in relation to group-based exploitation.
12. Quarterly Performance Monitoring Report
Aithisg Sgrùdadh Coileanaidh Ràitheil
There is circulated Report No HCW/30/26 by the Assistant Chief Executive – People.
The Committee is invited to note the:
i. performance information for the Health, Social Care and Wellbeing; and
ii. change to FOI reporting to align with Chief Officer structure.
13. Delivery Plan Monitoring & Progress Update – Person Centred Solutions Q2 2026–2027
Sgrùdadh agus Cunntas Adhartais a’ Phlana Lìbhrigidh – Fuasglaidhean Stèidhichte air an Neach R2 2026–2027
There is circulated Report No HCW/31/26 by the Assistant Chief Executive – People.
The Committee is invited to note the Delivery Project updates provided in the report.
14. Minutes
Geàrr-chunntas
The following Minutes are circulated for noting:-
i. Child Protection Committee held on 12 May 2026; and
ii. Highland Violence Against Women Partnership held on 18 May 2026; and
iii. Highland Council / NHS Highland Joint Monitoring Committee held on 11 June 2026.