Agenda item

North Wales Safeguarding Board Annual Report 2019/20

To submit a report by the Interim Director of Social Services.

Minutes:

Submitted – a report by the Director of Social Services in relation to the above.

 

The Leader of the Council and Portfolio Holder for Social Services said that the report meets the statutory requirements that the North Wales Safeguarding Board publishes its Annual Report. The reports provides an overview of the work of both the North Wales Children and the North Wales Adult Safeguarding Boards from April 2019 to March 2020 and the progress made in delivering key objectives across the region to safeguard people. The report outlines the next steps and longer term plans for the Regional Safeguarding Board. She noted that examples of good practice that has been achieved has been highlighted within the report.

 

The Director of Social Services reported that safeguarding requires effective partnership working and the Annual Report 2019/20 acknowledges good practice across the region, as well as areas of development. These areas for development are reflected in the North Wales Safeguarding Board business plan for 2020/21. The Boards continues to mature in the last year to one where they demonstrate effective co-operation and challenge are part of everyday business. The Boards can demonstrate how they have influenced the national agenda on the National Procedures and the All Wales Practice Guides. He noted that a Wales Safeguarding Procedures has been implemented and numerous training sessions have been held virtually for staff within children and adult services.

 

The Director of Social Services further said that there were concerns during the first months of the pandemic that referrals within children services had decreased and the Safeguarding Board was able to raise awareness to the Welsh Government as to the shortcoming within the system.

 

The Committee considered the report and made the following points:-

 

·      Councillor R Ll Jones as the Older People’s Champion expressed that there are concerns as to the abuse of elderly people and he questioned as to how the Safeguarding Board was safeguarding the elderly. The Director of Social Services responded that efforts were made locally to raise awareness of all age groups and people were encourage to report concerns as to any person they had concerns over within their communities. He noted that training is given to all staff who are involved with the care of the elderly;

·      Reference was made to children who are educated at home and the lack of educational inspection by educational bodies. Questions were raised as to how the Safeguarding Board deals with issues relating to children educated at home/home schooling. The Chair expressed that the Children’s Commissioner has raised the issue recently. The Director of Social Services responded that discussions are currently been undertaken as regards to new guidelines for the education of children at home. He noted that the Social Services and Educations Departments work closely to share any concerns as to these children that receive home schooling. However, he noted that this is a complex matter and some children flourish with home schooling but it is important to note that safeguarding of children is also a matter that needs to be monitored;

 

 

 

·      Questions were raised as to the work the Board undertaken in relation to developing and supporting compliance with Wales Safeguarding Procedures 2019. The Director of Social Services responded that courses have been available on-line and virtually. He noted that the guidelines as regards to the Safeguarding Procedures are available through a mobile App which is easy to read and available to the public.

 

It was RESOLVED to note the information contained within the North Wales Safeguarding Board Annual Report 2019/20.

 

ACTION : As noted above.

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