Agenda item

The Independent Chairman of the Hillingdon Local Safeguarding Children Board (LSCB) introduced the Annual Report 2016/17. He gave an overview of the report and the LSCB's current state of play.

The following key points were made in discussion:

·         Overall there was positive progress in the LSCB's work. There were currently strong partnerships in place.

·         Child safeguarding was meeting the standards expected.

·         The LSCB had developed progressive training packages for all agencies and provided administrative and project management skills to move the LSCB forward. This included the development of audit and performance processes. 

·         There were concerns raised around the Metropolitan Police and how safeguarding was managed. Recent disappointing reports had resulted in the appointment of a new commissioner and a restructuring of services. The London Borough of Hillingdon was well served by the commissioner as he was engaged with services. In summary, if there is limited police engagement there is a risk that children are at danger.

·         Other concerns raised were the pressures around health and training around child safeguarding. A recent restructure had taken place which focussed on early help and intervention.

·         Over a two year period there was a steady marked improvement in services.

The LSCB performance management framework had four key priorities which focussed on:

·         Neglect - dealing with early intervention and early help. For example tracking unborn children in Hillingdon.

·         Partnerships working together- in an environment where resources are limited, emphasising on the need to work together to ensure that everyone remain engaged with the process to protect children from identified risks in order to ensure their safety and welfare.  The level of attendance in core group meetings has improved and many agencies have been buying into this service. Steps taken included alone meetings between social care workers and children and changes to the current electronic recording system.

·         Overseeing the implementation of early help and early intervention programme in Hillingdon - a new programme had developed which focused on the engagement of safeguarding partners. The programme included the implementation of a scorecard which contained the right performance indicators and outcome measures to assess the difference.

·         Safeguarding arrangements in Hillingdon - Strong governance arrangements and a monthly audit program were now delivered by the Childrens Services Quality Assurance Teams and the findings were reported to senior managers. Recommendations from serious case reviews and domestic homicides were monitored through the case review subcommittee. There was also a focus on ensuring adequate training for front line staff.

The following key points were made in discussion:

·         There had been good voluntary engagement in training sessions although it was difficult to fully engage voluntary organisation as there was no one place to go to. For example, although there was engagement with the youth council, it was not always easy to reach the children who were at risk.

·         The Childrens Act 2004 does not make it clear what organisations are responsible for dunging.

·         Known agencies that are known as inadequate are worked with in order to improve.

·         Although it was unclear how long the process took from receipt of a referral, the Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) was central to the front door work of safeguarding. Contact made with MASH resulted in a referral and then followed its path.

·         There was a general consensus that organisation needed to be acting out of prevention. It was inexcusable to not understand how to react in safeguarding and each body involved needed to be held accountable.

·         The Committee was concerned that agencies which were involved in safeguarding issues may rather then would provide funding to allow work to be carried out in order to ensure safeguarding procedures were set to the highest quality. 

It was noted that there was a typo on page 48/78 in relation to Baby W which needed to be corrected.

RESOLVED -

1.    That officers be congratulated on their hard work.

2.    That a briefing paper be provided to the Committee on the new legislation.

3.    That the report be noted.