Issue - meetings

(a)       That the information in relation to the Safeguarding of Children and Child Protections for the period 1^st April 2017 to 31^st March 2018, be noted; and

(b)       That due regard be taken to the partnership working taking place across portfolio areas to protect children and young people from harm.

(a)       That the information in relation to the Safeguarding of Children and Child The Senior Manager Safeguarding and Commissioning introduced a report to provide information on the Children’s Safeguarding provision and Child Protection process within the County boundaries.  She explained that the report provided key statistical and performance related information about children at risk for whom the Authority had significant safeguarding responsibilities. 

                        The Senior Manager Safeguarding and Commissioning referred to the main considerations, as detailed in the report, around Children’s safeguarding, Education and Youth, and Social Services priorities for the safeguarding of children, and corporate safeguarding. 

                        In response to a question by Councillor Tudor Jones concerning whether the targets for  review of children on the Child Protection Register were met, the Safeguarding Unit Service Manager explained that the Authority had robustly achieved all its targets for review of children on the register in line with the All Wales Child Protection Procedures.

            Councillor Kevin Hughes asked if information was available on the ages of children on the child protection list and also whether there was any correlation between the ages and the categories of risk.  The Safeguarding Unit Service Manager said that the data on ages of children was available and could be shared.  She also said that the data could be broken down to see if there was any correlation between the ages and the categories of risk.

            Councillor Hilary McGuill raised concerns regarding the safeguarding of children in the vicinity of school premises at the end of the school day.  In response the Safeguarding Unit Service Manager referred to the work of the Corporate Safeguarding Panel and advised that representatives from both Education Services and the Police attended the Panel and commented on the partnership work which took place around areas of shared concern.  Councillor McGuill suggested that the Police be asked to monitor ‘hot spots’ in areas of concern  to prevent children and young people from harm and to deter anti-social behaviour.  

Councillor Patrick Heesom commented on the lack of provision of youth services for young people in Flintshire which he said had created a ‘dire’ social need.

RESOLVED:  

(a)       That the information in relation to the Safeguarding of Children and Child Protections for the period 1^st April 2017 to 31^st March 2018, be noted; and

(b)       That due regard be taken to the partnership working taking place across portfolio areas to protect children and young people from harm.