Agenda item - Brighton & Hove Safeguarding Children Partnership Annual Report 2024-25

29.1    This item was presented by Deb Austin, BHCC Corporate Director, Families, Children & Wellbeing. Sarah Smart, Local Safeguarding Children Partnership (LSCP) Business Manager was also present remotely.

29.2    Ms Austin explained some of the context for the work of the LSCP, noting that Brighton & Hove has seen a steep declines in the number of children living in the city but rising numbers of children eligible for free school meals, an increase in the number of education, health & care plans issued, and increases in school absence and NEET rates. However, school exclusions are below the national average. There were almost 20,000 initial contacts with safeguarding in 2024-25, leading to around 3000 referrals to social work. There are currently around 260 children in the city subject to a child protection plan.

29.3    All LSCPs were required to update their multi agency safeguarding arrangements, and this work has been completed locally. Education is now more represented in safeguarding work. Closer ties have also been developed with East and West Sussex safeguarding and a pan-Sussex approach to safeguarding has been adopted. Business priorities for 2025-26 include enhancing working with education partners, developing a new Neglect strategy, and delivering more safeguarding training. Other priorities include the development of a pan-Sussex learning and development strategy, the development of a child sexual exploitation strategy, and development of a young scrutineers programme.

29.4    Ofsted inspected children’s services in 2024 and gave an overall ranking of outstanding. This included good scores for many aspects of safeguarding.

29.5    Cllr Halliwell asked why the point of intervention for school absence was set at under 30% attendance. Ms Austin replied that it is important to recognise that there are a range of interventions for school absences, most of which will tackle much lower levels of absence. The <30% is for safeguarding interventions only.

29.6    Cllr Halliwell asked about the Neglect strategy. Ms Austin responded that the refresh will seek to prioritise early stage identification of neglect, going beyond social workers to include professions such as health visitors and teachers.

29.7    Tanya Brown-Griffith asked where the gaps are in terms of health services. Ms Austin replied that it was particularly important that workers across healthcare are trained to be aware of safeguarding issues.

29.8    Monica Fletcher asked about young scrutineers. Sarah Smart replied that recruitment of a cohort of young scrutineers is progressing. They will be recruited from across the city and care will be taken to ensure that those chosen accurately represent the diversity of the city.

29.9    Cllr Halliwell asked about out of area care placements. Ms Austin replied that Rainbow Lodge has just been opened in the city. This provides residential places for children and young people with complex disabilities who would previously have been placed out of area.

29.10  Caroline Ridley noted that VCSE plays an important role in safeguarding. This may include providing training for staff and trustees as well as some organisations maintaining a register of issues raised that fall below the safeguarding threshold.

29.11  The Chair asked why city performance on school exclusions is so good. Ms Austin replied that this is largely due to excellent practice by city schools, particularly secondary schools. Patcham High should be particularly commended, but all city secondaries work effectively to minimise exclusions.

29.12  RESOLVED – that the Board notes the Local Children’s Safeguarding Partnership Annual Report 2024-25.