Issue - meetings

As detailed in the recommendations.

The Cabinet Member for Social Services introduced the report and sought views on the implementation of Regional and Local arrangements for safeguarding children. 

The Welsh Government (WG) announced in 2011, as part of the Social Services and Well-being Act (2014), the three sub-regional Local Safeguarding Children’s Boards (LSCB) would take greater steps to promote integration and collaboration and move towards a regional structure.  From 23 September 2014 the North Wales Safeguarding Children’s Board (NWSCB) would be formally constituted, and with a strong commitment towards a local presence, the LSCB would formally cease and be re-convened as safeguarding delivery groups based on sub-regional locations.

Within the North Wales context, the revised structure would also address the following concerns which were noted during the development of the new model:

·         That local needs, culture and language be supported via the Local Safegurding Delivery Boards

·         Statutory Directors of Social Services could continue to report to elected Members in their respected local areas

·         Local and Regional structures would allow different representatives at different levels, reducing the pressures on senior management

·         The Regional Board would be able to make decisions and promote more effective and timely process

Following a question from the Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Environment, the Chief Officer (Social Services) said the implementation of the North Wales Safeguarding Children’s Board would be cost neutral.

            RESOLVED:

(a)          That the proposed structure for the Regional Safeguarding Children’s

Board to be known as the North Wales Safeguarding Children’s Board be approved;

(b)       That the temporary host authority (Conwy) be confirmed until a permanent arrangement is confirmed for April 2015; and

(c)        That it be agreed that the minutes of the Regional Safeguarding Children’s Board be shared with the Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance and the Cabinet Member for Social Services and regular, initially twice yearly, update reports on the work of the Board be provided to Cabinet and the Social and Health Care Overview and Scrutiny Committee by the Chief Officer, Social Services.