The minutes of 24 April 2015 were agreed subject to the following amendment:-

To note Greg Dix’s apologies and the attendance of Jo Brancher from PHNT.

Matters Arising

Minute 38(1) - performance of partners in adult safeguarding would be covered in agenda item 6.

Minute 38(2) - EIA on adult referral was in draft and would be presented to board in July

Minute 41(1) - Links to the Domestic Homicide Review were circulated to board members by Jane Elliott Toncic.

Minute 41(2) - Feedback was received by board members on the business plan, have been incorporated and will be covered later in the agenda.

Minute 41(5) - A set of draft principles will be included in the strategic plan.

Minute 41(6) - The Chair was continuing to explore the links with the Health and Wellbeing Board and is an on-going action.

Minute 41(7) – Have received most the Declarations of interest forms and will chase outstanding forms.

Minute 41(8) - A Development day to take place in November and have had an offer from PCH for use of their boardroom on 20 November 2015.  Information to be circulated to board members.

Minute 41(10) - ToR is on the agenda.

Minute 43 (1,2,3) - DoLS will  be  covered in an update later in the agenda

Minute 45(a) - financial contributions would be discussed later in the agenda.

Minute 45 (d) – the Chair has written a letter of thanks to Karen Grimshaw.

Geoff Baines raised an issue on defining the adult safeguarding pathway.  Sue Baldwin reported that she had hoped that the CCG would fund a post help with the triage and activities of safeguarding but so far have been unsuccessful.  This issue would be escalated further.

Assurance given that PCH would continue to work in partnership with PSAB, and confirmation that the issue was on the PCH corporate risk register. As this is yet to be resolved they will continue to highlight the risk.  The Chair was happy to be part of any escalation process to identify a resolution, and noted that timescales were important. 

ACTION – the Chair to support the escalation of this issue and to make contact with Rebecca Harriot, Chief Officer, NEW Devon CCG

There were no declarations of interest made.

The Chair shared with the Board his plans for the next quarter and work involved in since last meeting.  It was reported –

(a)           he has been in post for 7 months now and feels progress has been made around the agenda and that PSAB has the right representation and commitment from members;

(b)          theExecutive Group which sits under the Board is established now and will have oversight of and provide direction to the sub groups in regard to the work of the Board. Representation to this group will expand;

(c)           met with Carole Burgoyne to discuss the Board’s challenge to other organisations, Board support and the posts that sit around this board and PSCB;

(d)          attended another Quarterly Safeguarding Assurance meeting with the Leader of the Council, Shadow Leader and Cabinet portfolio holders to give assurances on the safeguarding agenda in Plymouth, the risks and the challenges.  The meeting predominately focused on children’s safeguarding this time but did note the increase in safeguarding alerts, and issues around DoLS. The Chair will look for the adults agenda to feature equally in future meetings;

(e)          met with the PAUSE Group, and appreciated their energy on the ground and from service users.  They found the financial abuse training very useful and that it added some real operational focus to the work of PAUSE.  They received good footfall at the conference which was well received by those attending.  They are looking to formalise their constitution and link with the Drake Foundation;

(f)            met with Tracey Lee, PCC Chief Executive, for appraisal, objectives were set and looked at how we assess the effectiveness of the board and demonstrate it.  Annual report will identify where we are as a board and progress within the service plan;

(g)           would like to meet some front line practitioners and would welcome suggestions;

(h)          wants to develop a link between the Annual Report and appraisal of board members,  recognising your work and how improvements can be made;

(i)                 looking for a volunteer for the learning and development framework  to set out what we need to do more of in the future.  There is also an opportunity to collaborate with other boards in the peninsula.  Sue Baldwin and Julian Mouland put themselves forward.

Jane Elliot Toncic provided the board with the Safeguarding Manager’s Report.  It was reported that –

Adult Safeguarding Conference

The Conference in June was well received with much positive feedback.  Projection so far is that we will come in approx. £1000 under budget, a lot of this being due to the support from the University.  The University is very keen maintain the partnership and are suggesting holding similar events every 2 years. Positive learning from the event raised questions over charging for attendance and focus on local or wider coverage.

The following comments were made by board members:-

·         well attended event and very informative;

·         to share learning from the Plymouth Safeguarding Children Board (PSCB)  Conferences and the differences between the two conferences;

·         the audience was regional and was a good quality conference for this region which isn’t easy to get to.  We need to think about own profile and the value of having a wider audience;

The Chair thanked Jane Elliot Toncic and the team for an excellent event. 

ACTION –

·         presentations from the conference to be circulated to board members and;

·         for the Executive Group to take forward the conference work.

Modern Slavery

Ian Ansell highlighted to the board the issue of support for victims; this is a national issue especially with regards to housing priority.  We need to share the learning from previous experience of operations and if we are identifying gaps in some services we need to know how to respond.  Jim Coldwell was best sighted to look at this and provide an update at the next meeting.

ACTION – Jim Coldwell to attend the next meeting of the PSAB and provide the board with a presentation on modern slavery

Devon Event – Information has been circulated to members and aligned agencies regarding the Modern Slavery event in Exeter on 25^th in September, Plymouth has approx. 200 places.

Devon and Cornwall Police:  Central Safeguarding Team (CST) and Vulnerability Screening Tool (VIST)

DS Paul Northcott reported that this was moving at a pace along with related training.  In the Torbay pilot referrals for children went down and adult referrals went up, the need to work together with partners on this is recognised. Julian Mouland is attending the local Devon and Cornwall Police workshop and will feedback to LOG.

Mental Health Crisis Concordat

Discussion took place regarding the Mental Health Crisis Concordat and that the CCG Devon wide action plan in response. We need a plan for Plymouth, and will ask for a presentation to the next meeting.

ACTION - The Chair will contact Paul O’Sullivan, CCG Commissioning Lead to discuss a bespoke plan for Plymouth

Outreach to GP Surgeries

Links have been made with the local Practice Managers network to improve awareness among primary care professionals. The CCG reported that they have appointed 2 Safeguarding nurses, to be the link between primary care and safeguarding adults and children. 

Financial Abuse Training

The second financial abuse training for the VCS was well received with 40+ people in attendance.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

Discussion around the final version of the Strategic Plan and the chair noted it will now be the principle document for Board members.  Request for a Word version to be sent to Board Members

It was agreed that ToR should include a shared understanding of and commitment to budget. JET will add this to the ToR

Performance

Rob Sowden provided the board with an update on performance data and the first draft of the performance framework, with a proposal to link this to a risk register.

Chair asked the Board to support Rob with access to other data to help develop the risk register, and noted that Performance management and a risk register would be a standing item on the agenda

DoLS

·         there was an increase in DoLS applications showing the impact of recent case law. 

·         it was reported that a small number of DoLS applications were inappropriate;

·         the board were assured that there is an action plan to address increased demand;

Concerns progressing to Enquiries

·         there were a higher number of concerns in April, May and  June.  It was reported that this would be looked at in more detail; 

·         we have been notified by NHS Information Centre that we have comparatively high numbers with ‘no action taken’ at conclusion of enquiry.  This is a process issue, there will be staff awareness sessions to address this and seek recording alternatives to ‘no action taken’;

·         data can now be tracked monthly which means information can be populated easier.

ACTION - All board members to read through the performance report and to feedback to Rob Sowden and Jane Elliott Toncic on what you would like to see.  Also look at how your individual organisations might be able to give support to Rob as this item will be a standing agenda item

PSAB Budget

Presentation of the breakdown of the budget for 2015/16.  JM explained that there would not be a contribution from the Community Rehabilitation Company and that next year the budget would be split 3 ways between the statuary members, PCC, New Devon CCG and Police and Crime Commissioner.

Any additional costs such as Safeguarding Adult Review (s) would be split between the 3 statuary members.

DoLS Update

Ross Azzam provided the board with an update.  It was reported that an action plan was in place, including DoLS office recruitment and commissioning of independent Best Interest Assessors.  Chair requested circulation of the action plan to members;

An update was provided on the Lasting Power of Attorney and Advanced Decisions training for frontline staff; feedback from the day was very positive.  Sessions are booked through to the end of March and there were still places available.  All relevant agencies have been advised of the training.

Sue Baldwin had earlier asked about the number of inappropriate applications.  Ros explained that the numbers are relatively small and equate to approximately 10 per cent; 

Geoff Baines confirmed the MCA/DoLS task and finish group were planning to meet in August and would be developing their  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

Engagement and participation

Karen Marcellino and Julian Mouland have met and further work to take place.  More information will be provided at the October board meeting.

SCR

Julian Mouland provided an update to the board on the SCR.

Risk Management & Self-Neglect sub group

Julian Mouland reported that the group was well supported and well attended.  There was an overarching action plan in place and will share at the next Board meeting.  The Executive Group have been kept updated.

Pete Aley, Head of Neighbourhood and Community Services provided the Board with a presentation on the new Prevent duty. Discussion and questions followed.

There were no items of any other business.

The next meeting of the PSAB will take place on 8 October 2015.