Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence and temporary appointments.

Apologies were received from Cllr Edwards as well as from Cllr Thomas who had anticipating substituting for her.

Apologies were also received from Cllr Bearder, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care.

See guidance note on the back page.

There were none.

The Committee is recommended to APPROVE the minutes of the meetings held on 20^th March 2025, and, 20^th May 2025, and to receive information arising from them.

The Committee APPROVED the minutes of the meetings held on 20^th March 2025, and 20^th May 2025, as true and accurate records.

Members of the public who wish to speak on an item on the agenda at this meeting, or present a petition, can attend the meeting in person or ‘virtually’ through an online connection.

Requests to speak must be submitted no later than 9am three working days before the meeting, i.e. 23/06/2025.

Requests should be submitted to the Scrutiny Officer at scrutiny@oxfordshire.gov.uk.

If you are speaking ‘virtually’, you may submit a written statement of your presentation to ensure that if the technology fails, then your views can still be taken into account. A written copy of your statement can be provided no later than 9am on the day of the meeting. Written submissions should be no longer than 1 A4 sheet.

There were none.

Karen Fuller, Director of Adult Social Services, Sam Harper, Head of Learning Disability Provision Services, and Will Gardner, Team Manager – Oxfordshire Employment and County Print Finishers, have been invited to present a report on the Oxfordshire Employment Service.

The Committee is asked to consider the report and raise any questions, and to AGREE any recommendations it wishes to make to Cabinet arising therefrom.

Karen Fuller, Director of Adult Social Services, Victoria Baran, Deputy Director for Adult Social Care, and Sam Harper, Head of Learning Disability Provision Services, were invited to present a report on the Oxfordshire Employment Service.

Stephen Chandler, Executive Director for People, Debbie Montgomery, Oxford Contracts Delivery Manager for Oxfordshire Employment Services, Nicola Dyche, Strategic Commissioner for Workforce Adult Social Care, and Jenny Taylor, Workforce Associate for County Print Finishers, also attended to support the report and answer the Committee’s questions.

The Director introduced the item highlighting the range of services emphasised the importance of the service. 

The Deputy Director and the Head of Services gave a detailed overview to the Committee.

The Workforce Associate shared her journey with Oxfordshire Employment Service and County Print Finishers.

In discussion with the Committee, the following areas were explored:

• The projected employment outcomes for the internship programme and its increase from 52% to 65%. It was explained that the outcomes had been around 60% before COVID-19, dropped during the pandemic, and were now increasing again, with larger numbers of interns to begin with. Outcomes monitoring.  The Oxford Contracts Delivery Manager explained that the Oxfordshire Employment Service maintained contact with individuals after they were placed in employment, usually on a monthly basis. The service did not have a fixed programme duration and continued to support individuals throughout their employment. The Connect to Work programme monitored sustained employment beyond six months as a key data metric. 

• Members explored the scope of eligibility for the scheme, the capacity to grow the scheme, and the barriers preventing people from participating. The Head of Learning Disability Provision Services and Strategic Commissioner for Workforce Adult Social Care explained that the Connect to Work programme had a broad eligibility, including care leavers, ex-offenders, and people with mental health issues. They mentioned that the programme aimed to support 2000 people over five years, with funding of around £8.4 million. The main barrier identified was the need for more employers to participate and offer opportunities. The Oxford Contracts Delivery Manager noted a significant increase in demand for the service, and the Connect to Work programme would help address this by providing additional funding and resources.

Members asked how the service worked with neighbouring authorities to support residents living near county borders. The Oxford Contracts Delivery Manager explained that Oxfordshire Employment Service supported individuals within Oxfordshire, but if someone lived close to another authority, they would coordinate with the nearest relevant service to provide support. This ensured that individuals received appropriate assistance without needing to travel long distances. 

• Members raised concerns about the stability of the Oxfordshire Employment Services and Connect to Work programme, its funding, and about the potential disappearance of funding. The Director of Adult Social Services explained that the programme was funded by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and was designed to be delivered over five years. She acknowledged that the funding was paid retrospectively based on delivery results, which required careful planning and execution. The Director expressed confidence  ...  view the full minutes text for item 16/25

The Committee is recommended to AGREE its work programme for forthcoming meetings, having heard any changes from previous iterations, and taking account of the Cabinet Forward Plan and of the Budget Management Monitoring Report.

The Cabinet Forward Plan can be found here: https://mycouncil.oxfordshire.gov.uk/mgListPlanItems.aspx?PlanId=433&RP=115

The most recent BMMR, submitted to Cabinet in March 2025, can be found here: https://mycouncil.oxfordshire.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=115&MId=7477&Ver=4

Karen Fuller, Director of Adult Social Services, Ansaf Azhar, Director of Public Health, and Stephen Chandler, Executive Director of People, were invited to advise the Committee as members devised their work programme. 

The Chair asked when the CQC report would be available, but the Director of Adult Social Services was unable to confirm a date due to an embargo. The Committee showed interest in reviewing both the Oxfordshire Way and its adaptation alongside the Marmotisation of Oxfordshire. The Director of Public Health recommended focusing on how the Oxfordshire Way addresses high-need areas and rural inequality, highlighting its inclusion in the updated Health and Wellbeing Strategy’s ten priorities. 

Committee members also wanted to scrutinise issues such as homelessness, unpaid carers (noting their financial impact and the existing cross-sector strategy), and suggested future collaboration with the Health and Wellbeing Board. Additional topics identified for scrutiny included: 

• Adult social care partners 

• Engagement with seldom heard groups 

• NHS collaboration on mental health services 

• The Learning Disability Strategy within the LGA peer review framework 

• The Health and Wellbeing Strategy itself 

The Committee NOTED the existing work programme and AGREED that the Democratic Services Officer should draft a detailed work programme, in consultation with the Chair, to be circulated before the next meeting. 

The Committee is recommended to NOTE the progress of previous recommendations and actions arising from previous meetings, having raised any questions on the contents.

The Committee NOTED the Committee Action and Recommendation tracker.

No Cabinet responses are expected for this meeting.

There were none.