Agenda item

Decision:

Cabinet received the Buckinghamshire Safeguarding Children Partnership Annual report 2019/2020. A review to consider new local safeguarding arrangements resulted in the implementation of the Buckinghamshire Multi-agency Safeguarding Arrangements which were agreed and signed off by the Statutory Partners in June 2019, changing the Safeguarding Children Board into the Safeguarding Children Partnership.

 

RESOLVED: That the progress made by the Buckinghamshire Safeguarding Children Partnership during the last year be noted.

Minutes:

Cabinet received the Buckinghamshire Safeguarding Children Partnership Annual report 2019/2020. A review to consider new local safeguarding arrangements resulted in the implementation of the Buckinghamshire Multi-agency Safeguarding Arrangements which were agreed and signed off by the Statutory Partners in June 2019, changing the Safeguarding Children Board into the Safeguarding Children Partnership. One of the main significant changes was that the decision making for the Partnership was now under the three statutory partners; the Police, the Council and the Clinical Commissioning Group.

 

Sir Francis Habgood was introduced as the Independent Chair for Buckinghamshire Safeguarding Children Partnership. In August 2019 the business functions of the Safeguarding Adults Board merged with the Safeguarding Children Partnership to form one business unit and one Joint Independent Chair. This had not only streamlined processes but also had improved the focus on family. In terms of how the partnership functioned it was important that there was a clear business plan; there was a new style of Annual Report which was shorter, more focussed and accessible, a good quality assurance framework (embedding audit work) and learning and development. There were five sub-groups. Many of the actions in the Plan had already been carried out including a new website for adults and children which was more accessible.

 

As Independent Chair, Sir Francis Habgood provided leadership, vision, quality assurance, challenge and support and provided accountability for the work undertaken by the partnership by way of reports to relevant strategic committees such as Adults Board, Health and Wellbeing Board and Safer Stronger Bucks Board and the new Domestic Abuse Board. This ensured good co-ordination.

 

In terms of case reviews, there was a robust process in place to ensure that each review contained strong recommendations with a timeframe and an accountable person in order to make certain that this learning was embedded and monitored.

 

The Leader referred to the two different years 2019 and 2020 and the impact of the covid-19 pandemic, particular with an increase in child abuse incidences in the first lockdown. He asked about the learning from the first lockdown, which could be applied to the third lockdown, particularly looking at the partnership’s priorities of domestic abuse, neglect and child sexual exploitation. The Independent Chair reported that when the first lockdown happened everyone had to work in a different way, in terms of the meeting structure and contact with young people. Using social media was very effective and there had been an improvement in attendance for case reviews which had been held digitally. The mental challenges for residents and not feeling in control was a concern e.g. domestic abuse could increase in a confined environment. The Corporate Director reported that during the lockdown, they had refreshed their practice standards and they were grateful to the social care staff who had gone the extra mile to ensure that children were safe. The strength of the partnership was impressive and they had been working closely with schools and health bodies and there was a clear understanding about the risks involved.

 

RESOLVED: That the progress made by the Buckinghamshire Safeguarding Children Partnership during the last year be noted.

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