Agenda item

(a)       That the report as relevant information in relation to Flintshire Safeguarding for the period 1 April 2017 to 31 March 2018 be received;

(b)       That the Committee was satisfied that Safeguarding provision within the County was robust; and

(c)        The Committee urged the Welsh Government to promote the implications of silent 999 calls which may not generate a response.

                        The Senior Manager - Safeguarding and Commissioning introduced a report to provide key statistical and performance related information regarding the Joint Adults and Children’s Safeguarding provision within the county boundaries.  She advised that the report also highlighted the variety of work covered by the Safeguarding Unit and the activity it undertook.  The report summarised some key learning from Child and Adult Practice reviews and Domestic Homicide Reviews.

                        The Senior Manager Safeguarding and Commissioning, reported on the main considerations, as detailed in the report, and invited the Safeguarding Unit Service Manager to provide an overview of the work related to the responsibilities of the Safeguarding Unit  in relation to child protection, adult safeguarding, adults at risk, Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DOLS), and Looked After Children (LAC).

                        The Chair thanked officers for their joint report. 

                        Councillor Kevin Hughes commented on the issues of online safety, social media abuse, and online gambling addiction, and  asked what measures were being taken to address these problems and how victims could access information and help. Councillor Hughes congratulated the Safeguarding Unit on their excellent work.  He said he could not see any reference to online safety within the report, which he felt would fall under safeguarding.  Referring to the Homicide Review report and the reference to a silent 999 call, Councillor Hughes asked that the Committee write to the Welsh Government to ask it to publicise the fact that if a 999 call was silent, then it was likely there would be no emergency response.

The Senior Manager Safeguarding and Commissioning, confirmed that online safety was within the remit of the safeguarding unit and work was ongoing in this area. The Safeguarding Unit Service Manager acknowledged that online safety was not mentioned within the report, however, she advised that the unit were very aware of online safety and that any concerns around child safety would be considered within child protection plans and court plans.   She also referred to the Missing Exploited Trafficked (MET) Panel which is a joint panel in conjunction with Wrexham addressing all issues relating to cases of exploitation. This would include concerns regarding online activity.

Councillor Hilary McGuill welcomed the multi-agency approach to information sharing.   She praised the early intervention work and domestic abuse support and suggested that when incidents occurred then schools should be informed prior to the school day wherever possible.  Councillor McGuill suggested that an app to report bullying on  mobile devices could be a valuable tool.

The Senior Manager Safeguarding and Commissioning concurred with Councillor McGuill’s comments.  Referring to bullying, she commented that whilst this was very much in the area of education, it was also everyone’s responsibility.

The Chair explained that she had sent a series of emails with regard to a person sleeping rough near a nursery school and had been unable to contact the Homelessness Team on the telephone.  She had called 101 and had been advised to contact Social Services.  When a member of the Homelessness Team had visited the area it was confirmed that the person was known to the police.  Councillor Marion Bateman referred to a similar incident which had occurred in her Ward.  She emphasised that safeguarding was everyone’s responsibility and that multi-agency cooperation was vital.

                        In response to a concern by Councillor Gladys Healey on the issue of false allegations being made by a child or young person, the Safeguarding Unit Service Manager advised that when a referral was made action had to be taken in accordance with required procedures.  If an allegation was made in school teachers were advised that they should not investigate cases and just take first accounts.

                        Councillor David Healey expressed praise for the service provided by the Homeless Team and said the Authority took a proactive stance in identifying homeless people.  He advised of a telephone service and services on social media.

The Senior Manager, Safeguarding and Commissioning agreed to circulate a link to the streetlink website.

            RESOLVED:

(a)       That the report as relevant information in relation to Flintshire Safeguarding for the period 1 April 2017 to 31 March 2018 be received;

(b)       That the Committee was satisfied that Safeguarding provision within the County was robust; and

(c)        The Committee urged the Welsh Government to promote the implications of silent 999 calls which may not generate a response.