Issue - meetings

To adopt the amended 'Policy and Guidelines for Safeguarding Children and Adults who are at risk of abuse and neglect' together with the Terms of Reference for the Safeguarding Strategic Panel.

The report was submitted by Cllr. Menna Trenholme.

DECISION

To adopt the amended 'Policy and Guidelines for Safeguarding Children and Adults who are at risk of abuse and neglect' together with the Terms of Reference for the Safeguarding Strategic Panel.

DISCUSSION

The report was submitted asking the Cabinet to adopt a revised Policy and guidance for safeguarding children and adults who are at risk of abuse and neglect along with the terms of reference for the Safeguarding Strategic Panel. It was noted that the policy sets out how the Council intends to fulfil its statutory responsibilities for safeguarding children and adults who are at risk in accordance with the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014. It was explained that as the current version was an adaptation of a policy created in 2013, it was timely to prepare a new policy rather than update the document in accordance with the usual procedure.

It was highlighted that a workshop had been held in October, attended by representation of officers across the Council to discuss the new Policy and strengthen reporting and monitoring arrangements. The next steps were set out, namely that a copy would be submitted before the Full Council followed by further work to promote the revised Policy amongst all Council staff.

The Corporate Director added that the policy needed to be amended and now highlighted the difference between safeguarding and protection, and the definitions had been set out in the policy. It was noted that changes had been made to the Panel's Terms of Reference highlighting the role and membership. 

Observations arising from the discussion

·         The new policy was welcomed and it was stressed that it was vital that people were aware that everyone within the Council had a role to ensure the safety of children and adults who were at risk.

·         The importance of the policy being submitted before the Full Council was noted, in order to highlight the importance of the role that Councillors had.