Agenda item

To examine the work of the Local Safeguarding Children Board.

7.1       The Committee received an Executive Summary of the Local Safeguarding Children Board’s (LSCB) Annual Report 2015-16 which reviewed and evaluated the achievements and progress of the LSCB which covered the Tri-Borough area.

7.2       The Committee welcomed Jean Daintith, the Independent Chair of the Local Safeguarding Children Board (LSCB) for Hammersmith and Fulham, Kensington and Chelsea and Westminster, who discussed the priorities for the Safeguarding Plan for 2016/17, outlined the work of the Board and available resources and responded to questions.  The Committee noted that the LSCB had been rated “good” by Ofsted and that the government were currently reviewing future arrangements to coordinate safeguarding partnerships and boards at a local level to make the arrangements less bureaucratic.

7.3       The Committee discussed the achievements of the Westminster Partnership Group which included: the collation and dissemination of a comprehensive list of Westminster supplementary schools, the development of the Children’s Services and Housing Panel to prevent homelessness for children and families, the improvements made to the emergency out of hours social work service and identifying the need for young carers to receive a better service.  The Committee noted the positive impact that the themed Workshops had achieved which had addressed the local priorities of Serious Youth Violence, Child Sexual Exploitation, Female Genital Mutilation and Radicalisation and Prevent.

7.4       Some of the key issues that emerged from the Committee’s discussion were:

• the future impact of the government’s review of the LSCBs and ensuring that the work of the LSCB was relevant to practitioners.
• the positive progress being made following the recommendations from Ofsted.
• the community engagement work carried out by the Prevent Team and the regular training given to front line staff involved in children’s care.
• the significant shortage of beds in the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS).
• the strong involvement that all schools have with the LSCB.
• the need for all housing providers to have a trained safeguarding officer.
• the importance of encouraging synergy between adults and children services regarding modern slavery and violence against women and girls.
• the need for the Partnership to find specialist advocacy support for children and young people under 13 years of age who have been affected by domestic abuse.

7.5       The Chairman thanked everyone who had given up their time to attend the meeting and contribute to the discussion.

7.6       ACTIONS

1.    That a briefing note be sent on the progress being made following the recommendations made during the Ofsted inspection.

2. That the tables on page 38 of the report should contain additional (past yearly) data in order that any trends could be established.

3. That a briefing note be sent on whether all the housing providers should have a designated safeguarding officer.

4. That a charity be invited to attend a future Committee meeting to talk about the work they carry out regarding violence against women and girls.

7.7       RESOLVED: The Committee made the following comments which would be forwarded to the Cabinet Member for Children and Young People for consideration:

1. The Committee welcomed the report and the work of the Independent Chair of the LSBC and the effectiveness of local arrangements to safeguard and promote the welfare of children within the Tri-Borough area. 

2. The Committee noted the opportunities for the LSCB to reducebureaucracy and to improve the effectiveness of the Board in influencing practice.

3. The Committee noted and welcomed the engagement in anti-radicalisation efforts which was highlighted in the report. It highlighted the importance for Children’s Services and the LSCB to carry on focusing on this area as a future threat.

4. The Committee highlighted the importance of safeguarding being a priority for all partners and a wide range of bodies including the Council, schools and housing providers.

5. The Committee requested that front line staff (especially in City Hall) be fully trained to react and deal with vulnerable young people coming into Council buildings.

6. The Committee encouraged the opportunities for synergy between adults and children services team in tackling issues such as modern slavery and violence against women and girls.