Decision details

RESOLVED:

That:

1)    the Annual Report 2024-25 and the assurance that the partnership continues to provide leadership and scrutiny of the safeguarding arrangements for Hillingdon residents, be noted;

2)    the way in which the partnership has responded to the challenges posed by changing local, national and international contexts, be noted and;

3)    the strategic priorities for safeguarding for 2025-26, be noted.

Reasons for decision

The Cabinet Member for Children, Families & Education presented the annual report of the Hillingdon Safeguarding Children’s Partnership, outlining the work undertaken in 2024–2025 to support and protect children and families.

The report highlighted the increasing complexity of safeguarding needs and reaffirmed the partnership’s vision for children to feel safe, healthy, and supported. The three statutory partners—the local authority, police, and Integrated Care Board—worked alongside other agencies to deliver priorities focused on contextual safeguarding, child sexual abuse, educational safeguarding, and transitional safeguarding.

For 2025–2026, the partnership aimed to strengthen multi-agency responses, embed transitional safeguarding approaches, address harm outside the home through the MAROTH framework, and promote the voice of children and young people. The work was aligned with the Joint Targeted Area Inspection framework, with efforts underway to improve data sharing and collaborative planning across services.

The Leader of the Council welcomed the report and particularly endorsed the comments made by the Independent Scrutineer, Alan Caton OBE, who praised the strength of the partnership, its openness to scrutiny and challenge, and its commitment to continuous improvement. The Leader described the partnership as one built on high support and high challenge, where difficult conversations were encouraged, and congratulated all involved for their work.

Alternative options considered and rejected

None.