To agree the minutes of the meeting of 5 July 2013.

Agreed that the minutes of 5 July 2013 were a true and accurate record.

With regard to minute 23, agreed that the board need to develop CNS awareness.  An officer to provide a report for the next meeting of the board.  The Democratic Support Officer to check minutes for understanding on ‘CNS’.

To receive any declarations of interest.

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

Sam Sposito, Project Officer provided the board with a presentation on the Safeguarding Website Tri.X.  It was reported that they reviewed the Plymouth Safeguarding Children website and as a result used their template to update the Safeguarding Adult webpages to make it easier to navigate and link to pages of interest and for better alignment of both websites.  The launch of the full website is 11 November 2013.

They also explored whether the Safeguarding Adults Board should have their own logo.  Several logos produced for the board to own and would now consult with service users on the most appropriate logo.  They felt it was important to emphasise that the board is multi-agency.

In response to questions raised, it was reported that links could be added to the website with Devon, Torbay and Cornwall to ensure better links and easier navigation to neighbouring authorities.

The website would have its own domain name and discussions were taking place with Tri.X on apps that are mobile and tablet friendly.

Agreed that the board were happy with the progress to date on the Safeguarding website Tri.X and await the new logo.

·         1.9 Lead Co-ordinating Agency

·         3.1 – 3.4 The Alert Process

Debbie Butcher, Head of Safeguarding reported that there was a mandate to proceed with the plan and training process.  The board had discussions around the links between 1 and 2 and how to get from alert to referral and which organisations should lead and what information to bring to the table.

The Policy and procedures group can now stand down but we do need to think about sub groups and how policy and procedures are implemented which may need further discussion.

Agreed that –

1.         Rozlyn Azzam and Jane Elliot Toncic to make amendments to the flowhart.

2.         the Health Policy is circulated with the minutes.

·         Discussion regarding ‘Extraordinary Meeting’

·         Children’s Inspection Update

Debbie Butcher, Head of Safeguarding provided the board with a peer review update.  It was reported that Debbie Butcher met with the LGA link, Jonathan Trubshaw.  Project meetings established and in calendars, will move to project scope and roll out the training programme.  The draft programme needs a bit of work and then can be circulated to the board.

Agreed that the latest project plan is circulated with the minutes.

·         Interim AVA Report

Debbie Butcher, Head of Safeguarding and Roslynn Azzam, Deprivation of Liberty Lead Officer reported on the latest performance.  The number of alerts remained unchanged.  Case conclusion was different with 91 per cent of referrals going onto a full investigation.  They were looking to appoint a chair to support staff with this and commissioned chairing sessions to take place at the end of October, beginning of November.

In response to questions raised, it was reported that 27 per cent was a considerable increase, confidence levels of staff and the changes to the way safeguarding is managed had an impact.  It was also reported that the people chairing the meetings had never undertaken that role before and was more down to recording and addressing actions.  This had resulted in the team undertaking a case review and have spent the summer going through each case and have pulled out some key learning points.

Agreed that the following management actions –

·      Make use of benchmarking data from other areas to consider how the number of alerts in Plymouth this year compares to recognised comparator authorities by population. This will be done post the release of the 2^nd cut of national AVA data. 

·      Consider whether screening, triage, and quality improvement activities are affecting the number of recorded safeguarding alerts and possible implications on outcomes for vulnerable people.

·      Continue with structured and systematic review to ensure that all open safeguarding cases from this recording period have a conclusion recorded as soon as that information is available.

·      When full information is available, carry out further analysis of trends in the number of investigations where abuse is substantiated and consider whether this raises any training needs.

·      By mid-November 2013, consider the first 6 months of data for next year’s adult protection government return in order to identify any possible issues with recording or reporting and to identify any emerging trends that may have implications for practice.

·      Safeguarding case studies to be shared with the board at the next meeting.

·         Atlas Report (table action plan)

·         VP

Karen Grimshaw, Chair of Serious Case Review Subgroup reported that the case was subject to Independent Police Complaints Commission and this had now concluded and now continue with the panel.  IMR update and ready for panel to meet and review findings.  The panel will have a clearer communications strategy for Plymouth Safeguarding Adult board.  There are some clear commissioning recommendations that we can feedback on way services are delivered.

It was also reported that another SCR was coming through and more details would follow shortly.

Agreed that the Action Plan response from Plymouth City Council to the Serious Case Review is circulated with the minutes.

The Chair deferred this item to the next meeting.

·         There may be a late agenda item about Winterbourne View Stocktake

·         Health Update

Debbie Butcher, Head of Safeguarding reported that on the regional programme linked with Torbay working on self-neglect. 

The Chair reported that he has received a letter from the Leader of the Council, Councillor Evans requesting that the PSAB instigate a review of care homes.

Debbie Butcher, Head of Safeguarding asked whether the board at future meetings look at lessons learned and the interface with the Care Quality Commission.   This can be added to agenda as a part II item.  Commissioning process at next board to have a more detailed discussion can pull together a small group to look at and bring to the board under part II.

Jenny Winslade, Chief Nursing Officer, NEW Devon CCG provided the board with an update on Winterbourne View Stocktake and Francis Report.

Winterbourne View Stocktake

An Action Plan was now in place across the CCG areas and would be monitored through the Partnership Commissioning Board.  Concerns have been raised on how we look at supported living and communities and regular reviews were taking place on how neighbourhoods provide support.

Francis Report

A stock take of the report was undertaken and restructured the action plan.  The Programme Board to map the actions and networking events would be taking place on how we learn the lessons.  Jenny had provided the Devon Health and Wellbeing Board with a presentation on this and happy to provide the same presentation to the SAB.

Agreed that –

1.         the Plymouth Safeguarding Adults Board receive at its next meeting  an update on work being undertaken with Torbay on self-neglect.

2.         the Chair to instigate a review of care homes following a letter received from the Leader of the Council.

3.         commissioning arrangements to be discussed by the board at its next meeting as a part II item.

4.         the Plymouth Safeguarding Adults Board to receive a presentation on lesson learned from Francis report.

The next meeting will take place on Friday 24 January 2014.  Agenda items for the next meeting –

·         Sample of safeguarding studies;

·         Local Government Review;

·         Plymouth City Council’s Corporate Safeguarding;

·         Transition from children to adult services (presentation on the Journey of the Child);

·         Financial abuse and safeguarding adults;

·         Presentation on lessons learned regarding Francis Report;

·         Commissioning under Part II.

There were no items of exempt business.