Agenda item - BRIGHTON & HOVE SAFEGUARDING CHILDREN BOARD ANNUAL REPORT 2017/18

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Agenda item

BRIGHTON & HOVE SAFEGUARDING CHILDREN BOARD ANNUAL REPORT 2017/18

Report of the Chair of the Local Safeguarding Children Board.

Decision:

40.1       RESOLVED:

 

That the Board:

 

1.          Noted the report and supported partner agencies in their contribution to keep children safe from abuse and neglect.

 

2.          Noted LSCB achievements and challenges.

 

3.          Used its influence to steer and support the development of the new Safeguarding Partner’s strategic objectives.

Minutes:

40.1                 Chris Robson, independent Chair of the Brighton & Hove Local Safeguarding Children's Board (LSCB), introduced the 2017/18 annual report and the progress they had made over the last year in safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. The report helped inform professionals, councillors and the local population to identify areas of weaknesses, causes and future actions. This annual report would be the last before the transition to the new safeguarding partnership arrangements being brought in nationally under the Children and Social Work Act 2017. This would lead to new arrangements between the Local Authority, Brighton & Hove Clinical Commissioning Group and Sussex Police who would hold joint responsibility as Safeguarding Partners. These new arrangements had not yet formalised

 

40.2                 The Chair thanked Chris Robson for the report and stated that the HWB supported involvement which resonated with Brighton & Hove’s as well as the national agenda. She asked if there would be discussions before the next HWB to consider future options for the future new arrangements and determine the level of engagement.

 

40.3                 The Executive Director - Families Children & Learning stated that the challenges that children in the city faced needed to be recognised by the Board. It was the frontline key partners that saw those unsafe environments on a daily basis and through their work meant Brighton & Hove Children’s services had been rated Good by Ofsted. He added that there needed to be to be independence, scrutiny and accountability of safeguarding prior to finalising future safeguarding arrangements and that a report should come back to the Board for further discussion with key partners.

 

40.4                 Councillor Taylor welcomed the report. It provided important guidance and feedback to identify challenges as well as made sure we do the best for vulnerable children. He said that this report should be sent to members of the Children, Young People & Skills (CYPS) Commmittee because of the relevant crossovers to ensure they were aware of this information. He wanted to ensure that the HWB could be engaged in the proposed future arrangements prior to finalising them.

 

40.5                 The Chair confirmed that the paper would be circulated to the CYPS Committee. In addition there would be engagement prior the January Board when a report finalising the arrangements should report. She added that council members had democratic oversight and the Chief Executive would engage with the process.

 

40.6                 Chris Robson stated that he was happy to circulate the Brighton & Hove LSCB Annual Report 2017-18 and it could also be accessed online. The HWB was welcomed to involvement in future arrangements however this was not legislatively required. The Act did specify the Council, the Police and the CCG as the strategic agencies.

 

40.7                 The Chief Executive stated that those who held responsibly and personal accountability would welcome an independent review for reassurance of checks and balances mechanisms. In the future this Board, other committees and partner agencies needed to be clear where accountability lay and a sense of measurable performance. Developing strategy opportunities for Child safeguarding needed a coordinated delivery with voluntary organisations, a planned budget and a commitment to these serious challenges.

 

40.8                 Councillor Page raised concern for the unclear future and transition arrangements and how future reporting would go to the Department for Education rather than the Local Authority which removed immediate accountability. He added that many families were struggling through deprivation routed from austerity and those pressures had to be recognised. Current practices lacked the voice and input of children as well as protection for immediate and extended family that needed support.

 

40.9                 In response to the increased number of child protection plans in the city above the national average, Councillor Hyde suggested this Board should interact with other boards and Local Authorities. She added that in terms of difficulties in receiving data, organisations withholding important information should be named. The struggle to involve more young people in consultation and engagement should initiate panel and meetings with children and to give them the opportunity to speak to the Board and other councillors, many boards in the city focussed on children shared this challenge.

 

40.10             The Executive Director - Families Children & Learning said since the report was released the number of children in care had lowered and the key reason for change was the move to a relationship based approach in the way that children were paired with the same social worker and experienced more continuity.

 

40.11             Councillor Moonan stated that all members were corporate parents and should be forwarded the report as well as the CYPS Committee.

 

40.12             The Chair agreed and stated that all councillors could attend the corporate parent boards.

 

40.13             RESOLVED:

 

That the Board:

 

1.   Noted the report and supported partner agencies in their contribution to keep children safe from abuse and neglect.

 

2.   Noted LSCB achievements and challenges.

 

3.   Used its influence to steer and support the development of the new Safeguarding Partner’s strategic objectives.

Supporting documents:

 


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