Issue - items at meetings - Local Safeguarding Children's Board (LSCB) Annual Report for 2011/12

Report of the Local Safeguarding Children’s Board (copy attached).

29.1    The Board considered a report of the Local Safeguarding Children’s Board Independent Chair which presented the Brighton & Hove Local Safeguarding Children Board Annual Report 2011-12.  The report explained that the Apprenticeship, Skills, Children and Learning Act 2009 introduced a requirement for Local Safeguarding Children’s Boards (LSCBs) to produce and publish an Annual Report on the effectiveness of safeguarding in the local area.  The council had a statutory duty to ensure that there was an effective LSCB, and also was a provider of safeguarding services and a member of the LSCB.  

29.2    Alan Bedford, LSCB Independent Chair presented the report.  He stated that there was no requirement to take the annual report to the Shadow Health and Wellbeing Board and there needed to be some thought about the relationship with the Board and safeguarding. 

29.3    Mr Bedford stressed that two big issues to consider were the changes taking place in public services and the number of referrals. 

29.4    Councillor Meadows referred to section 5.4 of the Annual Report with regard to home education.  This stated that children may be at potential risk due to possible social isolation.  Councillor Meadows questioned the quality of home education.  Meanwhile, Councillor Meadows asked if there had been any thought to having joint work on a child and adult strategy. 

29.5    Mr Bedford replied that home education and safeguarding was an important area to investigate.  The relationship with adult safeguarding was also very important.

29.6    The Chair stated that there was a link between the two safeguarding boards and this matter should be investigated.

29.7    Councillor Shanks stated that it was important to support women with children.  If women could be supported in the first place it would prevent problems occurring. 

29.8    Geraldine Hoban agreed that early intervention to support families was important.  A workshop was being planned around that issue.  

29.9    The Shadow Health & Wellbeing Board Business Manager informed members that the current revised guidance for children’s safeguarding stated that future Annual reports would be submitted to the Health & Wellbeing Boards.

29.10  Robert Brown asked Mr Bedford what strategies and support would be put in place to prevent children from being the subject of a Child Protection Plan a second or subsequent time.  The report stated that the percentage of children affected had had almost doubled. 

29.11  Alan Bedford explained that the most important thing was to manage the review of cases.  There had been a slight increase in the number coming back a second time.  It was possible that some children were taken off the plan too early.  The scrutiny of decision making was key. 

29.12  RESOLVED - (1)      That the content of the report be noted.

(2)       That it is noted that the report had been submitted to the Children and Young People Committee on 12 November 2012.