Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Paula Rodrigues.

None.

It was agreed that the following insertion be added to Minute 9 - Forward Plan:

Clarifications were sought in regards to the safeguarding plan and it was confirmed that the matter would be dealt with for implementation by September 2019.

In respect of Minute 11 - Children’s Home: Ofsted Inspection, it was noted that there had been a further inspection of the home. 

RESOLVED: That the minutes be approved subject to the agreed insertion.

It was confirmed that there were no Part II items and that all business would therefore be conducted in public.

 The Committee considered the Hillingdon Safeguarding Adults Annual Report and the Local Safeguarding Children’s Board (LSCB) report.

Safeguarding Adults Annual Report

The Assistant Director for Adult Social Work and Head of Service Safeguarding Adults were in attendance to introduce the report.

The report contained information in relation to the new governance arrangements and background information regarding adult safeguarding in Hillingdon. It was highlighted that there had been a marked increase in the number of adult safeguarding concerns and enquiries. This had occurred as a result of a review of working and partnership arrangements to ensure that all information was accurately captured. It was reported that the increase was therefore considered to be a positive step.

The Adult Safeguarding Board worked closely with other governing boards and strategic priorities across the Council.

It was identified that the number of safeguarding adult concerns that had progressed to a Safeguarding Adults Enquiry had reduced by 2% from the previous year. Adult Social Care had developed the work undertaken to determine if the statutory threshold for a Safeguarding Enquiry was met or whether any other action was required, and this had reduced the percentage of Safeguarding Adult Concerns progressing to larger enquiries (Section 42 Enquiries). It was stressed that when a concern did not progress to a larger enquiry, other activity was undertaken including signposting and/or information and advice etc. It was recognised that there was an inconsistency across different Councils in relation to determining if a Safeguarding Adult Concern should progress to a Safeguarding Adult Enquiry and work was being undertaken nationally to develop guidance to increase consistency.

Clarifications were sought in relation to human trafficking and how the matter was being addressed, particularly given the location of Hillingdon with Heathrow Airport. It was highlighted that London Borough of Hillingdon was part of the London Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking network and had identified a single point of contact for concerns related to Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking in Children and Adult Social Care. It was recognised that the work required to raise awareness, respond and eradicate Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking required a collaborative approach across the Council.

The impact on the level of risk related to the adult was discussed and it was highlighted that while in a larger percentage of cases, the risk was removed or reduced, there were occasions when the risk remained in accordance with the adults' wishes. It was stressed that public interest, mental capacity and undue pressure were taken into account.

It was agreed that officers would confirm the data presented relating to the ethnicity of adults who were identified as potential victims of abuse or neglect/self-neglect, after reviewing the breakdown of ethnicity as detailed in the report.

It was also agreed that officers would consider how the number of criminal prosecutions relating to Safeguarding Adults Enquiries could be routinely collected.

Members thanked officers for the comprehensive report, applauded the person centred approach and welcomed the information highlighting how domestic abuse services had improved.

Local Safeguarding  ...  view the full minutes text for item 16.

The Finance Manager - Social Care, Education and Schools was in attendance at the meeting to introduce the 2020/21 Budget Planning Report for Services within the remit of the Committee.

The report provided information on the Council’s broader financial position and detailed budget proposals for relevant services, with the report due to be considered in January 2020.

The Committee was informed that budget projections remained in line with the February 2019 position, with a budget gap of £28.4m. This was consistent with previous years and similar to what other local authorities were facing.

It was noted that there was a requirement across the Council to have savings notions and there were longer leading times to deliver savings.

RESOLVED: That the 2020/2021 Budget Planning Report for Services within the remit of Social Care, Housing and Public Health Policy Overview Committee was noted.

Areas of recommendations for the review on Universal Credit were discussed by the Committee in preparation for the final report.

The Committee was keen to include recommendations about raising awareness of Universal Credit through promotion in the Hillingdon People, strengthening collaborative partnerships with the Department for Work and Pensions and other organisation, utilising Council resources to help residents who were unable to access IT and asking officers to review their own practices.

RESOLVED: That Committee sends Democratic Services the wording for recommendations.

RESOLVED: That the Committee noted the update report on Loneliness and Social Isolation in Older Residents.

Members discussed upcoming executive business and sought clarifications where required.

RESOLVED: That the forward plan be noted.

RESOLVED: That the work programme be noted.