Agenda item

(indicative timing: 2:05pm – 2:50pm)

The Independent Chair and Board Manager of Worcestershire Safeguarding Adults Board (WSAB) had been invited to present the 2020/21 WSAB Annual Report and discuss developments in safeguarding adults in Worcestershire.

The WSAB Chair explained that he was contracted by WSAB for 30 days each year, had been in post since April 2021 and was involved in a number of safeguarding initiatives nationally.  He recognised that Worcestershire’s issues were in line with those experienced nationally – rough sleeping, the role of the lead professional and exploitation.

During the reporting period, achievements included the increased awareness of fraud and fraud reporting, agreement to jointly fund a post on exploitation, the development of a complex risk adult framework, the publication of a rough sleeping thematic review and the creation of a reference group of lived experience.  8 referrals had been made and 2 had met the criteria.  6 serious case reviews had been completed and published on the website.

Of particular note was a pilot scheme to provide challenge to SAR decision making by providing a rapid review, with the process taking 6 to 8 weeks, rather than up to 2 years.  This pilot provided closure for families and was well received, especially as learning was shared much quicker.

Worcestershire data was in line with national data and during 2020/21 there had been more enquiries which met the s42 (safeguarding) criteria.  The Chair urged caution in relation to the data, especially in relation to fraud, as the scale of the issue was much higher, with only 5 to 10% of cases reported.

Nationally, staffing was a major challenge, especially in domiciliary care and care settings, and the Chair advocated the need for the care profession to be uplifted.

Member questions raised the following main points:

·         When asked what the biggest challenge was, the WSAB Chair was very concerned about staffing.  He reported that wages would need to rise above the rate now paid by many retailers and with Home First being advocated as best practice, the care profession would need to be viewed differently

·         The Strategic Director of People agreed and reported that detailed analysis had been carried out which had fed into the budget setting process.  Retail and distribution was in competition with the care sector for staff.  Reference was made to the Scrutiny on Care Work as a Career and the Council had noted that conditions of service was an important part of any contract, not just enhanced rates of pay.  In the last Quarter, £1m had gone into staffing within Worcestershire, which had been funded by the NHS

·         The thematic review into rough sleeping would be monitored by a newly formed Assurance Panel of the WSAB.  Membership included WSAB Partners and external agencies, including Onside Advocacy, and it would scrutinise actions taken and make recommendations.  The Board Manager was pleased with the differing approach.  The Chair welcomed initiatives in other areas, whereby ‘pods’ were used to accommodate rough sleepers rather than the shared facilities which was more usual

·         A Member asked what role District Councils would play going forward, to be informed that representation was at Strategic Housing level, however, the Board Manager agreed to look at a greater role

·         In relation to the transition from children’s services to adult services, it was reported that the Mental Capacity Act would include 16 to 18 year olds.  This was of concern nationally, especially with the increased awareness of adverse childhood experiences and their impact in later life

·         The Board Manager reported that although not in the reporting period, an Exploitation Co-Ordinator had been successfully appointed and one of their roles would be to recognise the issues crossing between children and adult services

·         The subject of capacity and consent was complex and determining whether an individual was able to make their own decision or whether there was coercion was often very difficult.  There was a need to promote professional curiosity, especially in relation to adults who had no care or support needs.  The WSAB Chair commended the Council’s Team for their proactive work and offered to host a Member Briefing if it would be helpful to the Panel

·         When asked what Members could do to assist in recruitment, greater recognition of the role was highlighted as a key factor

·         A Member asked about the role of West Mercia Police, to be informed that they were a key partner although more consistent representation would be welcome.  The WSAB Chair had met the new Chief Constable and was pleased with their commitment and although fraud cases were increasing, the cases often originated outside of the UK or were committed by organised crime groups and therefore referred to regional Police Teams.  Fraud within families continued to be more common, with cases often linked to domestic abuse

·         When asked about the extent of modern slavery in Worcestershire, it was reported that WSAB had commissioned the University of Worcester to investigate, however, the situation was no clearer.  As part of their role, the Exploitation Co-ordinator would be tasked to identify the scale

·         A Member asked about the high number of Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS), with the Strategic Director reporting that a landmark case in Cheshire West had resulted in eligibility being changed.  Nationally, this remained an area of concern and numbers have risen.  In Worcestershire, high risk and more urgent cases were completed in a timely manner

·         The Panel was informed that Liberty Protection Safeguards would replace the DoLS system and would deliver improved outcomes for people who are or who need to be deprived of their liberty.  The new system would include those aged 16+ and the implications for health services were huge, however, Council Officers were commended for their level of understanding

·         Digital technology could support safeguarding both in Home and Care Home settings in a number of ways and its use would likely increase over time

The Panel Chairman thanked everyone for the informative discussion and looked forward to receiving the next Report.