Haringey Council is set to review its communication strategies with residents regarding adult social care, following concerns raised at a Scrutiny Café consultation event in September 2024. Residents reported that communications from the council were not always prompt or clear, leading to frustration and feelings of powerlessness. Some residents expressed that a lack of communication could contribute to depression, anxiety, and stress.
The Adults & Health Scrutiny Panel discussed the review at their meeting on 13 November 2025. The panel is considering the draft scope and terms of reference for a scrutiny review aimed at improving communication between residents and Adult Social Care services. The review will also examine the accessibility of information about adult care and support services on the council website and the online Haricare directory, according to the Communications project scoping draft.
The Communications project scoping draft indicates the review will examine:
- How residents access services
- The accessibility of information on the council website
- Digital communications and inclusion
This suggests that the council will consider the needs of residents with limited digital literacy or language barriers, and will look at how residents access the 'front door' to services, whether through the council's main communication channels or the locality team for their area.
This initiative aligns with the council's broader efforts to enhance resident experience and ensure equitable access to information and support. The AH Scrutiny Panel - Work Planning 25_26 Oct 2025 document indicates that potential additional items for the work programme include communications with residents, the impact of housing conditions on health and wellbeing and the Autism Strategy 2021-2031.
The review comes at a time when Haringey Council, like many other London boroughs, faces significant financial challenges. A decade of government underfunding has left the council with approximately £143 million less in core government funding each year in real terms than in 2010/11, while demand for services has increased, according to the 2026/27 Budget and 2026-2031 Medium Term Financial Strategy Report.
At a previous Adults & Health Scrutiny Panel meeting on 22nd September 2025, Councillor Pippa Connor (Chair of the Adults and Health Scrutiny Panel) and other councillors discussed the importance of clear and accessible communication with residents, particularly in the context of budget constraints and increasing demand for services.
The review is scheduled for completion by February 2026, although the timeline for implementing the recommendations is not yet specified. The Adults & Health Scrutiny Panel is scheduled to meet again on 16 December 2025 and 9 February 2026 to further discuss these issues.