Issue - meetings

To give members the opportunity to scrutinise the work of the Strategic Safeguarding Panel for 2023/24.

To accept the report and note the observations.

A report from the Cabinet Member for Corporate Support and the Social Services Statutory Director was submitted.

An update was provided on the work of the Strategic Safeguarding Panel during the last year. It was explained that the Panel's work was integral to the operation of all Council Departments, as it considered safeguarding processes corporately. It was noted that the Cabinet had accepted the report at their meeting on 11 June 2024.

Attention was drawn to the main changes introduced during the last year, including amendments to the Panel's Terms of Reference, the Safeguarding Operational Group's Terms of Reference and publishing a new Safeguarding Policy. They were proud that the Safeguarding Policy was now clearer, especially regarding the definitions of protection and safeguarding. It was reiterated that training on this Policy would be developed in the near future.

It was confirmed that the Children and Supporting Families Department had received 7,230 referrals to children's services during the year. This statistic was compared with the average figure before the pandemic, where referrals to children's services were approximately 5,000 per year. It was noted that this was a substantial increase in referrals but it was confirmed that the annual figures had levelled by now, hoping that the number of referrals would decrease in years to come.

It was reported that there was an increase of 248% seen in the work relating to safeguarding concerns about practitioners and those in positions of trust, compared to 2022/23. It was confirmed that procedures were in place to respond to safeguarding concerns about those who, as part of their work, come into contact with children or adults at risk.

It was explained that there were 281 looked-after children at the end of March 2024. It was confirmed that the number of looked-after children had reduced during the last year but, because of the Council's responsibilities to protect asylum seekers and refugees, the number of children under the care of the authority had remained at 281, similar to the numbers at the end of March 2023. Likewise, it was confirmed that the number of Adults reports during the 2023/24 year was very similar to the numbers reported at the end of March 2023.

Pride was expressed that the Council had earned a 'White Ribbon' accreditation as it had adopted a strategic method to end domestic violence and to emphasise that it was not tolerated within the County. Furthermore, it was noted that 55% of Council staff, who worked in the public safety field, had attended an 'Ask and Act' training to give them confidence to support individuals experiencing violence, domestic abuse or sexual violence. It was emphasised that it was a priority for those staff members to attend the training over the next year.

Reference was made to an increase in a number of matters during the last year, such as retail crime (thefts from shops). It was confirmed that the Council had collaborated with the Police to ensure that information about support to cope with the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8