Agenda item

The Chairman welcomed Derek Benson, the Independent Chair of the Worcestershire Safeguarding Children Partnership (WSCP) to present the WSCP Annual Report for 2019-20.

As background to the report, the Independent Chair reminded the Panel that in September 2019 the WSCP had formally replaced the Worcestershire Safeguarding Children Board (WSCB).  The partnership was made up of 3 safeguarding partners, the local authority, the CCG, and the Police. The partners were required to publish a report at least every 12 months detailing progress regarding their responsibilities for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children in the area.  The last annual report of the WSCB had covered the year to March 2019, therefore this Annual report was covering the period from April to September 2019, when the WSCB was still in place, as well as the 12-month period to September 2020.

The Panel was informed that the new streamlined WSCP arrangements had proved to offer a more dynamic and effective decision-making function. There was strong involvement in each of the WSCP Sub-groups from all of the partnership agencies, ensuring that there was an efficient multi-agency child safeguarding system in place in the county.

The Independent Chair advised that he was leaving the role at the end of this month and thanked the previous Chief Executive (WCF), the Interim Chief Executive and the Cabinet Members for all of their support in ensuring that the current safeguarding position had been able to be achieved.

The Cabinet Member with Responsibility for Children and Families thanked the Independent Chair for his efforts and integrity in the role and for the new style of report. Other Panel Members added their thanks to the Independent Chair for his effective chairing of the partnership and for the much-improved position of the WSCP.  The Interim Chief Executive praised the Independent Chair and the whole team involved in the safeguarding partnership for how well it was working. The interim Chief Executive was pleased with the Report and how the key personnel from the partner agencies had proved to be a great support and challenge for each other.

It was noted that Steve Eccleston had been appointed as the new Independent Chairman.

Members raised a few questions which led to the following areas of discussion:

·         Referring to a potential increased incidence in domestic violence during lockdown, concern was expressed about the impact of this on children and young people. The Independent Chairman advised that a recent national report had indicated that there had not been a massive spike in incidents, although a careful eye was being kept on referrals coming through the Family Front Door. A multi-agency approach was in place to deal with any complex issues that might come to light.

·         The Interim Chief Executive advised that as yet only a small increase in the safeguarding impact of lockdown had been seen.  In terms of domestic abuse specifically, there had been a rise in the lower level domestic abuse pressures resulting from lockdown and in the extreme high-risk harm where domestic abuse already existed.

·         The Family Front Door had seen an increase in activity and appropriate help and interventions were set in place. All in all, the Interim Chief Executive advised it was a very concerning picture.

·         On the theme of domestic abuse, a Member referred to a scheme operating in some areas whereby local government employees, such as refuse collectors, were trained to keep their eyes open for anything suspicious when they went about their duties. She felt this could be something to consider going forward.

·         A Member raised concerns that with the restrictions of COVID, tactics seemed to have changed with county lines drugs activity which appeared to have switched to using local children. The Independent Chair advised that the Get Safe work was ground-breaking and innovative, with the flexibility to adjust to any new ways of working regarding criminal activity. He commented that the use of local children was not a new development and he was certain that the local team would be aware of the situation on the ground.

·         The progress of a Child Safeguarding Practice Review, previously put on hold at the start of the pandemic, was queried. The Interim Chief Executive advised that this review was now complete, with a publication date awaited.

·         In respect of the Headteachers’ Safeguarding Group and areas for development (detailed on page 42 of the Agenda), it was questioned whether there was currently an element of under-reporting? The Interim Chief Executive explained that this was not the case and that it related to the thresholds of reporting and making sure that reporting was tied into the early help offer and the support given to schools to better evidence the offer and identify the impact on children. She explained that this was not something just for schools, but for all the partners to act upon in response to the Ofsted recommendation on early help. Progress on this had been on hold due to the pandemic, but it had become increasingly problematic during Covid and there was now a refreshed approach to give more clarity to the offer.

·         As part of progressing the early help agenda, the Panel was informed that Worcestershire Children First had commissioned a piece of work with the University of Worcester regarding the early help support received by families.

·         The Interim Chief Executive confirmed that Corporate Parenting would be covered in the Induction process for newly elected members, as part of one of 3 key briefings.

The Chairman thanked the Independent Chair for the report and wished him well for the future.