Issue - meetings

To approve funding programmes from the Greater Manchester Combined Authority

Members of the Governance, Strategy and Resources Scrutiny Board scrutinised a report of the Executive Director of Health and Social Care/Deputy Chief Executive, which sought approval to extend the Changing Futures Team to support delivery of the Enhanced Live Well Model prescribed by the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) following the end of the national Changing Futures Programme on 1^st April 2026. The proposal would maintain continuity of support for residents with multiple and complex needs, increase Local Authority staffing capacity to support implementation, and enable the future development of VCFSE and outreach services as part of the wider Greater Manchester Live Well Neighbourhoods Model.

The report presented two Options:

Option One (preferred Option) – To approve the extension of the Changing Futures Team and create additional roles within the team to maximise the benefits of the service. This will strengthen delivery of the Enhanced Live Well Model and support additional VCFSE outreach activity aligned to the Live Well Neighbourhoods Model.

Option Two – To discontinue and relaunch the service under a new model. However, this would disrupt the existing relationships, referral pathways and support arrangements. Grant conditions would still require funding to be invested in Local Authority staffing as well as VCFSE provision, limiting the benefits of this option.

Resolved:

1. That the Governance, Strategy and Resources Scrutiny Board, endorses the recommendations detailed in the submitted report of the Executive Director of Children’s Services to:

a.     The Director of Adult Social Care (DASS) to be authorised to accept the Enhanced Live Well Grant in full of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA).

2. Approve the extension of the Changing Futures Team for a further three years.
3. Approve the creation of two additional Changing Futures staff to support the delivery of the Enhanced Live Well Model.
4. Approve the continued provision of support for people experiencing multiple disadvantage, including homelessness, substance misuse, mental ill health, offending, domestic abuse, sex work, child removal, physical health needs, learning disabilities, neurodivergence, and care leaver status.
5. Authorise the Changing Futures team to continue supporting individuals affected by reductions in preventative services and survivors of child sexual exploitation (CSE) who meet the service criteria.
6. Note that a key priority of the Enhanced Live Well Model is supporting people who disengage early from substance misuse treatment. GMCA data shows that, in 2024/25, around one-quarter of opiate users left treatment unsuccessfully, with 66% doing so within their first year and 53% within their first three months of treatment. This proposal will strengthen Oldham's ability to engage and retain this cohort, alongside other residents experiencing multiple disadvantage.

2. Requests that the Group Leaders meeting concurs, thereby enabling the Chief Executive to formally approve the recommendations in the report.