Agenda and minutes

No apologies were received.

There were no declarations.

To elect a Chairman pursuant to Standing Order 29.

Members were invited to elect a Chairman in accordance with Standing Order 29; eligibility was extended to include Ex-Officio Members as no written expressions of interest for the position had been received. The Chairman would also be the lead Member for Safeguarding Children. A list of Members eligible to stand was read out and Dhruv Patel, being the only Member indicating his willingness to serve, was declared to have been elected for the ensuing year.

To elect a Chairman pursuant to Standing Order 30.

Members were invited to elect a Deputy Chairman in accordance with Standing Order 30; eligibility was extended to include Ex-Officio Members as no written expressions of interest for the position had been received. A list of Members eligible to stand was read out and Deputy Billy Dove, being the only Member indicating his willingness to serve, was declared to have been elected for the ensuing year.

The Chairman welcomed Deputy Joyce Nash as a new Member of the Sub Committee, and thanked the outgoing Members, Angela Starling and Deputy John Bennett.

To receive the Terms of Reference, as agreed at the 9 May 2014 meeting of the Community & Children’s Services Committee.

RESOLVED – That the terms of reference, as agreed at the 9 May 2014 meeting of the Community & Children’s Services Committee, be noted.

To agree the minutes and non-public summary of the previous meeting held on 5 February 2014.

RESOLVED – That the public minutes and non-public summary of the meeting held on 5 February 2014 be approved as a correct record.

Matters Arising

Safeguarding Adults Audit November 2013

Members noted that safeguarding was now on the Corporate Risk Register, and the Corporate Safeguarding Policy would come before this Sub Committee at a future meeting before going to Audit and Risk Management Committee.

City Youth Participation Strategy

Members noted that the Children’s Executive Board would receive updates on the City Youth Participation Strategy, and were reminded of upcoming training sessions which had been circulated electronically.

Report of the Director of Community and Children’s Services.

The Sub Committee received a report of the Director of Community & Children’s Services which provided an update on the progress being made to prepare for the Ofsted inspection and to ensure services provided to Children In Need, Looked After Children and Care Leavers were improving in line with the new Ofsted single inspection framework.

In response to Members’ questions, officers reported that the Ofsted guidance did not ask for any services or practices that were not already being performed by the Corporation, but was prescriptive about evidence.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

Report of the Director of Community and Children’s Services.

The Sub Committee received a report of the Director of Community & Children’s Services about the progress of the Service Improvement Action Plan which encompassed recommendations from case file audits, the Strengths-based Learning Review from January 2014, and the grade descriptors from the new inspection framework. Members noted that all aspects of Children’s Social Care were considered, including the Children and Families Team, Leadership and Management and the Local Authorities Designated Officer role, and the plan would be monitored through the Children’s Executive Board, Inspection Planning Meetings and City Safeguarding Sub-Group.

In response to a Member’s question, officers reported that there was an expectation for staff to retain and develop skills to deal with issues that occurred infrequently in the City. Despite being a challenge, Members noted that this was being met through shadowing, workforce development, or working with officers in other Local Authorities.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

Report of the Director of Community and Children’s Services.

The Sub Committee received a report of the Director of Community & Children’s Services presenting an overview of the Safeguarding Adults at Risk Audit Tool. Members noted that this was particularly pertinent in light of the political focus that the Care Act would create by placing the Safeguarding Adults Boards on a statutory footing. Officers advised that the Adult Social Care service met 18 of the 22 requirements (green), with 4 assessed as requiring additional action (amber) and no reds identified.

Members discussed the report, noting the importance of multi-agency discussions to ensure a seamless service for residents. In response to a Member’s question, officers undertook to investigate how many Acts of Legislation affected the Safeguarding service overall.

RESOLVED – That:

(a)  The Assistant Director of People investigate how many Acts of Legislation affected the Safeguarding service overall; and

(b)  The report be noted.

Report of the Director of Community and Children’s Services.

The Sub Committee received a report of the Director of Community & Children’s Services which gave an overview of the Safeguarding Policy’s awareness raising campaign, ‘Notice the Signs’. The campaign was targeted at two distinct audiences: City of London employees (including Members and partner agencies) and City of London residents. Officers reported that 7 Safeguarding Champions had been appointed throughout the Corporationto improve general knowledge, understanding and awareness of the City of London Corporation’s (and its employees’) role in safeguarding children and adults at risk, and the campaign would raise awareness among local residents of what constitutes abuse and provide information and advice to ensure that they know what to do if concerned.

Officers reported that the Corporation rarely received community referrals of safeguarding concerns, which was highly unusual, and it was hoped the campaign would address this. In response to Members’ queries, officers reported that officers worked alongside charities, and that safeguarding procedures were in place to facilitate shared responsibility for third party referrals. Members were advised that communications and support available was evident to all concerned.

RESOLVED – That:

(a)  Posters for the campaign and a covering letter be placed in Members’ pigeonholes to highlight their role as Corporate Parents;

(b)  The Assistant Director of People include Members with specific safeguarding leads; and

(c)  The campaign be included in ward newsletters in November 2014.

In response to a Member’s query, officers reported that the annual reception for the City’s Looked After Children would take place in October/November 2014 and the date would be circulated to Members as soon as it was confirmed. In response to a follow up query, Officers undertook to arrange a Member visit to some of the vulnerable elderly tenants being housed outside the City.

RESOLVED – That:

(a)  The date for the annual reception for the City’s Looked After Children be circulated to Members once confirmed; and

(b)  A Member visit to vulnerable elderly tenants being housed outside the City be arranged.

There were no items of urgent business.

MOTION - That under Section 100(A) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting for the following items on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Part I of the Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act.

RESOLVED - That under Section 100(A) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting for the following items on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Part 1 of the Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act.

Item                                                                Paragraph

14                                                                    3

15-18                                                              2

19-20                                                              -

To agree the non-public minutes of the previous meeting held on 5 February 2014.

RESOLVED – That the non-public minutes of the meeting held on 5 February 2014 be approved as a correct record.

Report of the Director of Community and Children’s Services.

The Sub Committee received a report of the Director of Community & Children’s Services.

Report of the Director of Community and Children’s Services.

The Sub Committee received a report of the Director of Community & Children’s Services.

Report of the Director of Community and Children’s Services.

The Sub Committee received a report of the Director of Community & Children’s Services.

Report of the Director of Community and Children’s Services.

The Sub Committee received a report of the Director of Community & Children’s Services.

There were no non-public questions.

There were no items of urgent business.