Issue - items at meetings - Brighton & Hove Local Safeguarding Children Board (LSCB) Annual Report Summary 2012-13

Report of the Chairperson of the Local Safeguarding Children Board (copy attached)

RESOLVED – (1) That the Committee notes the report and supports the City Council in their contribution to keep children safe from abuse and neglect; and

(2) That the Committee notes the challenges for 2013/14.

60.1    The Committee considered the Annual Report for 2012/13 of the Local Safeguarding Children Board updating members on progress made during that year. The report was presented by Graham Bartlett the Chair of the Board who was also a co-opted Member of the Committee. It was noted that it was a statutory requirement for the LSCB to publish an annual report evaluating the effectiveness of safeguarding arrangements for children and young people in the local area.

60.2    Mr Bartlett commended the work carried out by Alan Bedford, his predecessor, the report related to his final year as Chair and highlighted the key areas the Board had focused on during the period covered by the report. This report represented a historical “snapshot” but it was anticipated that with a full complement of staff now in place it would be possible to bring a report before the Committee in the providing a further update on the Boards recent activity in the Autumn of 2014.

60.3    The LSCB continued to work in partnership with member agencies to protect children from abuse and neglect, and to minimise any adverse consequences of abuse and the Annual Report provided an assessment of the effectiveness of local arrangements to safeguard and promote the welfare of children. Safeguarding activity was progressing well in the area and the LSCB had a clear consensus on its strategic priorities for the coming year.

60.4    It was noted that in line with statutory requirements and as part of the LSCB’s commitment to engaging communities in safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, two Lay Members had been successfully recruited. Their role had been to bring a more ‘grass roots’ perspective to the work of the Board on safeguarding children; to provide a perspective from the point of a member of the public and to play a part in the oversight and scrutiny of decisions and policies made by the Board.

60.5    The Board was aware that its function was not well known in the wider community and in order to address this a Communications Task and Finish Group had been established which would enhance its opportunities for providing information regarding its role and work and in obtaining feedback from the public.

60.6    The Chair, Councillor Shanks welcomed the report which comprehensive and detailed. Councillor Pissaridou concurred stating that she had been struck by the spread of the work it undertook. She asked whether any elected Members had a seat on the Board and the Chair confirmed that she sat on this body.

60.7    Ms Travers, CEO, Amaze welcomed the report noting however that although there had been an increase in the numbers of initial referrals there had also been a reduction in the number of assessments, conferences and, child protection plans, enquiring whether this was due to inappropriate referrals or limited capacity in teams. Mr Bartlett explained that the number of Child Protection Plans had actually risen again to 320 for the current year but that he was hoping that this figure would reduce once the impact of the early help strategy was felt.

60.8    Councillor Brown sought clarification regarding appointment of the two Lay Members and it was explained that these appointments had been advertised widely and that the successful candidates had been subjected to a rigorous selection process.

60.9    RESOLVED – (1) That the Committee notes the report and supports the City Council in their contribution to keep children safe from abuse and neglect; and

(2) That the Committee notes the challenges identified by the Board to be addressed in 2013/14.