Agenda item

The Board received a report presenting the 2014/2015 Annual Reports for Safeguarding Adults in Swindon and the Local Safeguarding Children Board (LSCB). The Annual Reports detail progress against the annual Business Plan for the LSCB and the Local Safeguarding Adults Board (LSAB) Strategy.

With the agreement of the Chair, the Board first considered the Safeguarding Adults in Swindon Annual Report 2014/15 (attached at Appendix 1 to the report) which is the Annual Report from the Swindon LSAB. Doug Bale, Adult Safeguarding Manger, introduced this section of the report and highlighted the new statutory responsibility placed upon LSABs to produce an annual report. The definition of those who are to be supported by safeguarding procedures and need to be the focus of the LSAB has also changed. The Board noted that referrals received have gone up and that Swindon is reflecting national trends and the higher profile of safeguarding. The LSAB also has a new Chair, Diana Fulbrook, who was unfortunately unable to attend this meeting.

Following the presentation of the Safeguarding Adults in Swindon Annual Report for 2014/15, Board members asked questions and made observations on the following issues:

·       The challenge of resourcing the Board (which currently has no budget) as it has to fund case reviews which is a new requirement under the Care Act 2014. The Board agreed to recommend to the One Swindon Board that they consider a proposal to fund the LSAB with its new statutory functions.

The Board then considered the LSCB Annual Report for 2014/15 as attached at Appendix 2 to the report. Alex Walters, the new Chair of the LSCB, introduced the report and highlighted how the LSCB is successfully co-ordinating the arrangements of all partners in relation to safeguarding, and ensuring the effectiveness of those arrangements. The data being received is more robust than ever, and there is a transparent analysis of how well agencies are working together to safeguarding children and young people.

Following the presentation of the LSCB Annual Report for 2014/15, Board members asked questions and made observations on the following issues:

·       The involvement of secondary schools at LSCB meetings.

·       The Board wished to acknowledge its thanks to Mr Mike Howard, the previous Chair of both the LSCB and LSAB, for his contribution to safeguarding in Swindon through the years of his tenure.

·       The increase in activity and referral rates in to social care, with more assessments being completed and more children on child protection plans.

·       The Police and Crime Commissioner working with the Youth Parliament on the lessons being learnt by children at school on these issues.

·       The challenge of dealing with safeguarding issues in relation to academy schools, and the involvement of the Regional Schools Commissioner.

·       Plans within the NHS Swindon Clinical Commissioning Group to demonstrate that safeguarding concerns are taken into account within their commissioning activity.

Resolved – (1) To note the Annual Reports for 2014/15 for Safeguarding Adults and the Swindon Local Safeguarding Children Board.

          (2) To recommend to the One Swindon Board that they consider a proposal to begin funding the Local Safeguarding Adults Board in view of its new statutory responsibilities under the Care Act 2014.