Agenda item

Local Safeguarding Children's Board Annual Report

To receive a report containing a review of the work undertaken by the Local Safeguarding Children’s Board.

Minutes:

The Committee considered the Local Safeguarding Children’s Board (LSCB) annual report which was set out in agenda pages 31-75.  Caroline explained that this was a statutory requirement of the Children Act, and it contained a list of achievements and challenges identified by the LSCB.

 

During the discussion of the item the following comments were made:

 

·           The Chairman was impressed with the language used throughout the report, such as ‘how we make a difference’, ‘the impact that we made’ and ‘what we have achieved’;

·           The Chairman noted an improvement in ‘how we hear the child’s voice’ in comparison to previous years.  Caroline believed that there was more work was needed to improve this area further;

·           Lisa emphasised that children were at the centre of the work and it was important to listen to their views.  Some improvement had been made in relation to hearing the children, for example the Children In Care Council was now taking an active part in meetings of Corporate Parenting Board.  However, the service was looking into ways to improve it;

·           Councillor Batth asked how long it took for the service to change procedures.  Caroline replied that there was an enormous amount of new regulations which the service had to adapt to, which involved the workforce and wider partnerships.  She stated that it was important to change the procedures and at the same time make sure that children continued to be safeguarded effectively;

·           The Chairman was pleased to note the creation of an indicator to monitor child sexual exploitation (page 45 of the agenda).  Lisa explained that this was used as a screening tool and the information was passed to Social Workers.  Lisa stated that such indicators were useful, but pointed out that it was important to continue to be vigilant;

·           Members asked about the service being provided by Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS).  Caroline stated that there were difficulties locally and nationally in relation to waiting lists, underfunding and a shortage of qualified skilled professionals;

·           Lisa believed that the picture was improving and that there were different pathways to treatment;

·           In response to a question Lisa stated that CAMHS recognised that there were children who needed help who were having to wait too long for treatment.  She explained that sometimes people only received treatment when their condition deteriorated;

·           Councillor Miall was interested to know how to make sure that everyone who needed mental health services was captured.  Caroline stated that it was important to use a variety of resources, such as schools for early identification.  She recognised that there were issues such as a raise in demand, more complex needs and less funding;

·           Lisa informed that CAMHS and Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) were offering a lot of mental health help online and through apps.  This approach had proved very effective for low level mental health issues with 9-10 year olds;

·           Councillor Shepherd-Dubey expressed great concern that schools were under financial stress and not able to provide mental health help to children;

·           In response to a question Lisa stated that when Care Leavers needed mental health treatment and this was not available through CAMHS she would fund it privately from her budget;

·           In response to a question Jane Winterbone, Interim Head of Learning and Achievement confirmed that Headteachers were aware of their safeguarding responsibilities and bullying;

·           Councillor Hobbs suggested that a lot of older retired people were able to and willing to help the community in the form of counselling.  Lisa stated that this was already done under the independent visitor scheme which was run with volunteers; and

·           Lisa agreed that in the right context it was possible for older people to provide supported lodging in their house, which could offer reciprocal help in terms of companionship.

 

The Chairman stated that this was one of the best reports submitted by the LSCB and it was pleasing to note that there had been many improvements to the safeguarding of children in the Borough.

 

Caroline explained that transition arrangements were underway and that the current format of the LSCB was being dismantled, a new format under new regulations was expected in the near future.

 

RESOLVED That the report be noted.

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