Agenda and minutes

The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting. Apologies had been received from Panel members Rob Adams and Robin Lunn.

None.

Members of the public wishing to take part should notify the Head of Legal and Democratic Services, in writing or by email indicating the nature and content of their proposed participation no later than 9.00am on the working day before the meeting (in this case 11 September 2018). Enquiries can be made through the telephone number/email address below.

None.

Previously circulated

The minutes of the meeting held on 18 July 2018 were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

The new Independent Chair and Board Manager of the Worcestershire Safeguarding Adults Board (WSAB) had been invited to discuss progress and developments in safeguarding vulnerable adults in Worcestershire. The Council's Director of Adult Services and the Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care were also present.

Derek Benson, WSAB Independent Chair, gave a brief overview of the presentation included in the agenda papers. The presentation referred to the WSAB's Annual Report 2017/18, Care Act Criteria, the Board's purpose, membership and priorities for 2017/18. It also included Safeguarding Adults Reviews (SARS), key points from data, priorities for 2018/19, key safeguarding risks and key risks for delivery of objectives (and how they would be mitigated). 

As new Chair Mr Benson pointed put that the Annual Report reflected much of the previous Chair's good work (Kathy McAteer). Collaborative working by all partners of the Board enabled them to work better which in turn helped overcome some of the on-going pressures on individual agencies.

The Board's priorities included ensuring key areas were embedded in practice (making safeguarding personal, Mental Capacity Assessments and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards), as well as closer working with the Worcestershire Safeguarding Children's Board (WSCB), of which Mr Benson was also Chair. There were opportunities to do more especially regarding transitional safeguarding, something which was not unique to Worcestershire.

During 2019/20 the Board would be reviewing budget contributions and whether they should be maintained or reduced, and the Chair assured the Panel that public money would not be wasted.

In summary, the Board's work was going well, although there was more to do in raising awareness of the Mental Capacity Act and also to improve stakeholder awareness of what safeguarding is (Section 42 Criteria), and to make safeguarding personal.

Main discussion points

·         It was suggested that there was a lack of awareness about the Adult Safeguarding Board compared to the Worcestershire Safeguarding Children's Board (WSCB), and a Panel member asked whether there were plans to learn from WSCB? The WSAB Chair agreed that the Board could learn from the WCSB, and vice versa. He also pointed out that Adult Safeguarding Boards were younger, and that progress had been made over the past three years to set the foundations.  Additionally there would be more work on communications through the Communications Sub Group and use of the website (jointly with the WSCB). The WSAB Chair appreciated there was more to be done to raise awareness.

·         The importance of the Panel's continued awareness about safeguarding was flagged up and the WSAB Chair offered interim updates to assist if required.

·         When asked when the external website would be progressed, the WSAB Chair explained that the delays had been frustrating but that funding was in place and a decision on procurement of the website was being discussed later that day. The website needed independence from the County Council and value for money was important when spending public money. The Panel requested an update on this decision.

·         The importance of the transition period (when a child moves  ...  view the full minutes text for item 291.