Presenter: Jim Gould

There were no declarations of interest other than those previously declared by the Chair.

Presenter: Jim Gould

Agreed that the minutes of 1 February 2013 were a true and accurate record.

Matters arising are all on the agenda today.  Stuart Palmer provided an update on housing and reported that it was investigated and plans were in place.

Presenter: Jim Gould

There were no chair’s urgent business.

Presenter:Debbie Butcher

Debbie Butcher reported that they were currently investigating a serious case review.  It was also reported that equality training would be reviewed and a further meeting to take place to gain more detail for further recommendations.  Most agencies had completed the reports but they were awaiting a response from the police.  A suggestion was put forward to link with Social inclusion Team because of their strong links with the BME community.  Debbie questioned whether someone from the BME community could sit as a member on the Safeguarding Adults Board.

Agreed that Ros Azzam and Browen Prosser meet to discuss how they could work together to strengthening links with the BME community.

Presenter: Jane Elliott-Toncic

Jane Elliot Toncic reported that they looked at multi agency procedures and the changing landscape around partnership working.  The local authority would co-ordinate all the alerts and hold responsibility for all tasks and reviewing feedback.

Tri-X was a localised procedure and would provide updates on legal briefings and maintain our current policies and procedures.  They were awaiting feedback from other local authorities on how effective this system had been and Berkshire were happy to buddy with Plymouth on the Safeguarding Manual.

Presenter: Rob Sowden / Roslynn Azzam

Rob Sowden and Roslynn Azzam reported that this was the first cut of data and later in the year would submit a second submission with a deeper analysis on performance.  Nationally alerts had gone up over the county due to high profile cases and a small group would meet to analysis this further.

It was reported that they had commissioned a ‘health’ dashboard to allow more visibility.  A policy and procedure sub group was set up and they would be undertaking some data cleansing and would keep the board informed.

In response to questions raised it was reported that any alert interim measures put in place would be recorded on Carefirst.  The health dashboard would be accessible to health colleagues.  Concerns were raised on whether the health dashboard would be that accessible and enable health colleagues to commission the right services.

Presenter: Angela MacBlain

Debbie Butcher reported that in December a 5-day peer review challenge would take place.  A team of 6 to 7 people would be deep dive into certain areas and would also provide the critical friend approach.  The initial project plan was shared with the board and plan would be spilt into 4 themes –

1.    Experiences of people using services

2.    Leadership

3.    Service delivery

4.    Working together

Debbie requested that the people involved blocking out 3 days but this was up for discussion on how this would be managed.  They would be looking at cases and would be setting up an evidence folder.  It was important to include the Safeguarding Adults Board with a clear plan on partnership awareness in understanding both political and organisational issues.

Agreed that the document and self-assessment is circulated to the board.

Presenter:Debbie Butcher

Debbie Butcher reported that in May 2013 they looked at a whole range of issues.  They also looked at –

·         Reviewing the membership and smaller board

·         Content – looked at key themes and high profile cases, levels of referrals and trends

·         Inclusion of REC Representative

·         Links with the Health and Wellbeing Board

·         How to demonstrate and evidence what we do

·         How we engage with providers

·         Small board with a wider reference group

·         Looked at TOR and work programme

·         Preventative agenda

It was also reported that a Civil society policy was being drafted on how we engage fully with the community.  Quality Surveillance groups which involves Healthwatch and local authority sat around the table raising concerns but with little evidence and how to feedback to providers. We need to think carefully about membership of this group.  Review the LOG and need to ensure that the providers need to be there are there and have a smaller Safeguarding Adults Board including commissioners, PHT and PCH as key major providers.  The SAB will also need to explore the best method of linking with services users.

Agreed that the board need to develop CNS awareness.  An officer to provide a report for the next meeting of the board.

Agreed that under Section 100(A)(4) of the Local Government Act, 1972, the press and public are excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act, as amended by the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

A discussion took place over concerns with a care home.  It was reported that the situation would be closely monitored by officers.