Issue - meetings

Cabinet is presented with the annual Warwickshire Safeguarding report for 2019-2020.

Portfolio Holders – Councillors Les Caborn and Jeff Morgan

Councillor Les Caborn opened this item by congratulating the Chair of the Safeguarding Board, Elaine Coleridge Smith and staff and thanking them for their hard work. He then proceeded to provide a summary of the key elements of the report. It was explained that 2019/20 had seen a focus on four areas, namely,

1.    New ways of working – Implementing new governance structures

2.    Quality Assurance – Developing a robust assurance framework

3.    Learning & Improvement – Developing a learning culture to support improvement in practice

4.    Safeguarding Reviews – Streamlining reviews processes to comply with the requirements of Working Together 2018 and the introduction of 15 Rapid Reviews

Councillor Jeff Morgan (Portfolio Holder for Children’s Services) echoed comments regarding the Safeguarding Board’s Chair and staff. He observed that there has recently been a slight reduction in contacts and referrals but attributed this to the Pandemic. He counselled that the full effects of lockdown had yet to be seen. 0-5 years is the largest cohort of plans and domestic violence is a prevalent factor in safeguarding.

Councillor Jerry Roodhouse noted the reference on page 190 to self-harm adding that the Pandemic had made the relationship between schools and self-harm less clear.  He stated that whilst annual reports are of interest it is also important to be able to review the current position. Up to date information is necessary if actions occur in a timely fashion. Councillor Jeff Morgan offered to speak with Councillor Jerry Roodhouse regarding this.

Councillor Les Caborn offered to provide a briefing with up to date information on the incidence of domestic and adult abuse.

Resolved

That Cabinet:

1. Welcomes the Warwickshire Safeguarding Annual Report for 2019-2020 (Appendix) and notes the progress that Warwickshire Safeguarding has made in its transition to its new partnership arrangements and the progress that has been made to strengthen assurance activities and learning and development opportunities,

2. Notes the progress made against the strategic priorities and how partner agencies have collaborated to support vulnerable members of our communities to be supported to be independent and safe,

3. Asks the Strategic Director for People to implement arrangements for continuing to raise awareness, understanding and ownership of the

safeguarding agenda across the Council.