Jane Elliot Tonic (Strategic Safeguarding Lead (Adults)) was virtually present for this item.  Apologies were given for Andy Bickley (Independent Safeguarding Chair) who was unable to attend today.  It was highlighted that the approach to safeguarding in the city with our stakeholders cover the 4 main priority areas:

·        Partnerships

·        Engagement

·        Assurance

·        Learning

·        The Annual Report produced during a difficult year.  They have changed meetings for the partnerships to be conducted virtually and continued with strong oversight on what was impacting the city especially with less professional visits taking place leading to less visibility on people they may have concerns over;

·        The voice of service users was important and engaging with people at the end of the safeguarding process to see whether needs have been met.  Also looking at common themes locally and regionally from safeguarding reviews;

·        Ongoing piece of work on SAR Quality Markers for safeguarding review reports to now have a national quality marker;

·        The partnership undertook a review of the partnership structure which is included with the report;

·        Issues raised to us as referrals has increased to 135 per week and ensuring that these referrals are appropriately investigated; 

·        Business Plan incorporates the work for the partnership and links with other partnership boards such as homelessness, domestic abuse, and transitional work with young people.  Ensuring that that the Business Plan financially viable and has the right resources and engagement and ensuring we have a trained and competent workforce across the city;

·        The Chair thanked Jane for the update and stated that this was a hugely important responsibility for the local authority and gave thanks to Andy Bickley and the partnership for they work they undertake in keeping people safe.

Questions from the Board related to:

·        Domestic abuse and who takes on that responsibility and what intervention and prevention was in place to support families?

·        The increase due to self-neglect was this due to Covid or demographics?

·        80 percent of referral concerns move on.  Where do they go?

·        As a Ward Councillor residents face different challenges and it’s difficult to know where to signpost people.  Never clear to me on what else I can do and where these people go?

·        What constitutes capacity and how do we track these people.  Was there a need to look at the broader framework on where people go and have a tracking system to look at that as part of work programme?

·        Are there any gaps in the partnership workforce and how do you ensure they was no duplication in providing these services.  Was the same technology, data care planning used across the partnership?

·        The gaps in the workforce would this have an adverse effect on the people we were trying to protect?

The Chair wanted it recorded the Board’s appreciation to those involved in safeguarding and the protecting of our most vulnerable in the city.

The Health and Wellbeing Board noted update on Adult Safeguarding.