Agenda item

Report of the City & Hackney Safeguarding Children Partnership.

Members considered a report of the City & Hackney Safeguarding Children Partnership (CHSCP) setting out their annual report for 2019/20 and providing an overview on the effectiveness of safeguarding arrangements in the City of London and the London Borough of Hackney.

Members were advised that the first six months primarily focussed on planning and implementing the new safeguarding arrangements replacing all safeguarding boards. Despite progress being interrupted by the pandemic, the City Corporation has continued to deliver its safeguarding commitments and received an outstanding Ofsted inspection result. The Partnership quickly set up contingency oversight groups in response to the new challenges brought on by Covid. Key issues for the future include substance and alcohol misuse, family support, eating disorders, mental health, online dangers and the huge pressures on agencies locally and nationally.

The Chair was happy to see the Partnership working well and coming up with strategies to deal with the number of key issues identified. It was noted that the Partnership identified workforce efficacy as a key risk for the future and the long terms impact of the pressures on front line staff dealing with the pandemic.

A Member recommended adding a forward plan item to the agenda concerning young people and mental health to help develop a plan for the future. The Town Clerk agreed to liaise with relevant Officers on this item.

RESOLVED – That Members note the contents of the report, in particular the sections setting out progress on implementation of the new arrangements, Covid-19 and the strategic priorities of the CHSCP going forward.