Agenda item

To submit the report of the Chair of the Strategic Safeguarding Panel.

To accept the report presented on the work of the Strategic Safeguarding Panel for the 2024/25 year.

The report was submitted by Councillor Menna Trenholme, the Chair of the Safeguarding Strategic Panel during 2024/25.

She expressed thanks for the opportunity to share the report which highlighted how the Council was achieving its statutory safeguarding duties, which included children, vulnerable adults, serious violence and counter-terrorism. It was explained that the Operational Group, as well as an external inspection, ensured that safeguarding arrangements were robust across the Council.

It was noted that during 2024/25, there had been a substantial increase in the referrals of children with complex needs, which had placed substantial pressure on the workforce.

It was expressed that there had been a serious incident at Ysgol Friars in September 2023 and this had led to urgent action with a desktop review and the commissioning of a Child Practice Review by the North Wales Safeguarding Board. A specialist barrister in the child protection field had been commissioned to look specifically at what had been raised in the court case.

In the Adults field, it was explained that the number of referrals was increasing gradually, with the complexity of cases intensifying. It was highlighted that the DoLS work continued to be challenging but that further investment and resources were now in progress.

It was explained that substantial steps had been taken to strengthen safeguarding in Schools, with every school now receiving a visit within 18 months. It was added that high percentages among staff and governors had now completed specific and basic training. Attention was drawn to an increasing number of children who were home educated.

It was explained that the Council continued to raise awareness and acted pro-actively by means of training, multi-agency partnerships and case reviews. It was noted that there had been an increase in cases of stalking and harassment which had led on partnership work with the Police. It was highlighted that a reduction had been seen in anti-social behaviour, but that modern slavery continued to be a matter of concern.

Looking ahead, it was noted that the Panel's priority was for the workforce to understand safeguarding systems, and completing the necessary training, and learning continuously. It was reiterated that safeguarding arrangements continued to develop in response to legislation, regional partnerships and experiences, and thus ensure the safety of the residents of Gwynedd.

Members were given an opportunity to ask questions and offer observations.

Gratitude was expressed for the report and a request was made for confirmation as to whether the reviews within schools were carried out by staff outside the school. It was confirmed that a team within the Education Department went to the schools to carry out the safety inspections.

It was highlighted in the Terms of Reference that Health and Safety staff were not a part of the monitoring group.

Attention was drawn to the increase in the number of children being home educated, enquiring how the department would safeguard these children. It was noted that the department sought to get to the root of the reasons, as they were eager to get the children into school in order to monitor their safety. Nevertheless, it was noted that there were specific steps to keep an eye on the children's safety.

It was expressed with two years having passed since the Headteacher of Ysgol Friars was arrested, and the delay of the publication of the Child Practice Review, it was asked whether the Council could take development and improvement steps without the report being published. It was expressed that work had commenced, and they were presuming what would be in the report and were trying to act on this already.

Concern was expressed about the welfare of children on School buses, as well as who made decisions regarding school buses. The point regarding safety was accepted, and it was agreed to look at the matter and have a further conversation about this issue. 

RESOLVED

            To accept the report presented on the work of the Strategic Safeguarding Panel for the 2024/25 year.