Agenda and minutes

There were no apologies.

There were no declarations of interest.

To agree the minutes of the previous meeting held on 23 October 2015.

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held on 23 October 2015 be approved as a correct record.

Matters Arising

The Deputy Chairman advised that an informal workshop would be held in the New Year to provide additional training and for Members and officers to discuss report formats.

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

Members had provided officers with several questions prior to the meeting. The summaries of these, and those questions asked at the meeting, are presented in italics under each corresponding item.

The Sub Committee considered a report of the Director of Community & Children’s Services regarding the City of London Safeguarding Policy, which had been renewed and brought in-line with new legislation and guidance. Members discussed the report and made some suggestions to clarify wording and terms used in the Policy.

How is this policy shared with staff, and how will the Sub Committee know that the implementation of the Policy is effective?

Officers advised that Service Managers in Community and Children's Services ran regular Safeguarding Forums with champions, and there were safeguarding leads in all departments to cascade key information to staff. Human Resources were aware of staff involvement, and safeguarding objectives were being used in the appraisal process. With regard to Members’ awareness, it was agreed that this be discussed at the informal workshop being held in the New Year.

What is the difference between Safeguarding Champions and Safeguarding Leads?

Officers advised that Safeguarding Leads were formal roles, whereas Champions were volunteers liaising between staff in their team and the Safeguarding Leads.

RESOLVED – That the Policy be approved, subject to the inclusion of Members’ comments.

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

The Sub Committee welcomed Dr Adi Cooper, Independent Chair of the City and Hackney Safeguarding Adults Board, who presented the Board’s annual report for 2014/15.

Dr Cooper reported that this year was the first time safeguarding adults had been put on a statutory footing, and key responsibilities had been set out for Boards. Members noted the City and Hackney Board already met these, owing to Dr Cooper and her predecessor Fran Pearson. Members noted this report focussed on the lessons learned over the past year, and ensuring this learning is embedded in practice. The strategy for 2015-2020 was currently being consulted on, and Members noted it was this that future annual reports would measure performance against.

How does the City and Hackney Safeguarding Adults Board ensure that the training programme for City-based staff is effective?

Dr Cooper advised that training and development opportunities were offered to all staff, as well as to the voluntary sector and partner agencies. The Board was currently mapping the training being offered, the intention was for a mechanism to be put in place to assess whether training needs were being met, before outcomes could be evaluated.

Given next year’s Annual Report will be the first since the Safeguarding Adults Boards became statutory, what do you envisage the report would be focussing on?

Dr Cooper advised that there were specific areas officers would be asked to pursue and develop, but these were not unique to the City, being influenced by new areas included in the Care Act. Dr Cooper took the opportunity to congratulate officers on the awareness-raising work carried out over the past year.

Does the Winterbourne Concordat apply to the City?

Officers advised that, although no residents in the City met the criteria of the Winterbourne review, the outcomes of that review had been

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

The Sub Committee welcomed Senior Professional Advisor Rory McCallum on behalf of Jim Gamble, Independent Chair of the City and Hackney Safeguarding Children Board, who presented the Board’s annual report for 2014/15.

Mr McCallum reported that this was a statutory report offering a transparent assessment of performance. The Director of Community & Children’s Services at the City of London Corporation had initiated a review of the services offered, which had resulted in worthwhile areas of work for the City and Hackney Safeguarding Children Board in terms of sharpening its focus. The intention was to make the document as accessible as possible, and included case studies and examples to evidence impact. Members noted that previous reports had been remiss in drawing out City-specific issues, which had been addressed in this year’s report.

How is the Board going to use its Lay Members to add value to the work of safeguarding?

Mr McCallum advised that the Lay Members’ role was to build on public engagement and awareness, facilitating consistent communication between residents and the Board. This was carried out via a defined work plan (based on existing work in Hackney) which linked with community partnerships, voluntary organisations, and youth groups.

Is the Board satisfied with City take-up of training and, if not, how is the Board addressing this with partners?

Members noted that, although numbers had increased over the past year, the Board was not satisfied with City take-up of LSCB multi agency training; this was a multi-agency issue not limited to Corporation staff. Mr McCallum advised that the Board was intending to push on this in the coming year, and, in response to a Member’s request, undertook to forward a list of those responsible for advertising training events. It was noted that staff may be attending single agency training but it was

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

The Sub Committee received a report of the Director of Community & Children’s Services, which provided a summary of the plans and processes in place to ensure consistency and continuity in preparing for and responding to inspections, peer reviews and other reporting requirements across Community and Children Services..

Important to be successful in inspection but more importantly by what means are you ensuring that the learning from inspections is addressed on a day-to-day basis?

Officers reported that learning from inspections and reviews were used to improve processes and outcomes, and that this was a continuous process of development. Members noted the details of an event taking place on 3^rd February, and that a new Service Improvement Board (SIB) was being set up from January 2016 to examine action plans and outputs. This would be independently chaired and would report to this Sub Committee when necessary. The SIB built upon the tradition of the Department’s aim to ensure continuous improvement and learning is built into business as usual arrangements across all service areas.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

There were no questions.

There was no other 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

11–15                                                              1 & 2

16-17                                                               -

To agree the non-public minutes of the previous meeting held on 23 October 2015.

RESOLVED – That the non-public minutes of the meeting held on 23 October 2015 be approved as a correct record.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

There were no questions.

There was no other business.