Agenda item

(a)       That the information in relation to the Flintshire Safeguarding Unit for the period 1 April 2016 to 31  March 2017 be noted;

(b)       That the additional data available from 1 April 2017 to 31 October 2017 for the Safeguarding Unit be noted;

(c)        That the increase in activity across all parts of the Safeguarding Unit be noted; and

(d)       That the Committee was satisfied that safeguarding provision within the County is robust

The Chief Officer (Social Services)3 introduced the report to provide information  on the joint Adults and Children’s Safeguarding provision within the county boundaries.  He commented on the success of the Safeguarding Unit and said the report was in a new format this year bringing both adult and children safeguarding together to inform  Members of key statistical and performance related information about children and adults at risk for whom the Authority had significant safeguarding responsibilities.  He added that the report help to amalgamate services  and shed light on services such as Deprivation of Liberty Safeguarding (DOLS).  He invited the Senior Manager, Safeguarding and Commissioning to present the report 

                        The Senior Manager, Safeguarding and Commissioning provided background information and reported on the main considerations, as detailed in the report, concerning Children’s Safeguarding, Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DOLS), Adult Safeguarding and Adults at Risk.  She also reported on the key roles and responsibilities across the Safeguarding Unit portfolio and Corporate Safeguarding.

In response to a question from Councillor Andy Dunbobbin, the Senior Manager, Safeguarding and Commissioning confirmed that out of county placements were within the remit of the report and that whilst Adverse Childhood Experiences were not included in the report this was something that could be considered for future reports. 

Councillor Hilary McGuill asked why the number of DOLS was increasing, how the increasing costs were  funded,   and who would fund the nursing care if the assessment demonstrated a need for a higher level of care. The Chief Officer advised that the Authority made a small contribution of between  £5K - £10k to fund DOLS.  The cost to the Authority was in the region of £250K per annum  and was an unfunded pressure.  The additional costs for a higher level of care would be considered on a case by case basis with Continuing Health Care funding in some cases.

In response to a further question from Councillor Hilary McGuill the Safeguarding Unit Service Manager confirmed that there was no time limit on how long a child could remain on the Child Protection Register up to the age of 18.  She commented  that children were not kept on the Register longer than necessary and the average time was 12 to 14 months.

Councillor Ian Smith asked who decided if a DOLS assessment was appropriate.  Officers  confirmed that the provider makes an application for a Best Interest Assessment. 

Councillor Kevin Hughes asked what arrangements were in place to deal with cases of child sexual exploitation and  online sexual exploitation.  The Safeguarding Unit Service Manager advised that Flintshire had a Child Sexual Exploitation Panel which worked  closely with the Police ONYX team.  She reported that work was also ongoing in schools and Flintshire was leading the way in the field of work on Child Sexual Exploitation and was being followed by other regions.  

In response to a question from Councillor Hilary McGuill the Chief Officer confirmed that DOLS assessments do not have an impact on Delayed Transfer of Care in Flintshire.

Referring to the Child Protection Register and pre-birth conferences, the Senior Manager, Children and Workforce advised that funding had been secured from the Welsh Government to work with and support  women who had repeat pregnancies which then resulted in the child being placed for  adoption within the County.

RESOLVED:

(a)       That the information in relation to the Flintshire Safeguarding Unit for the period 1 April 2016 to 31  March 2017 be noted;

(b)       That the additional data available from 1 April 2017 to 31 October 2017 for the Safeguarding Unit be noted;

(c)        That the increase in activity across all parts of the Safeguarding Unit be noted; and

(d)       That the Committee was satisfied that safeguarding provision within the County is robust