Agenda item - Brighton & Hove Safeguarding Adults Board Annual Report 2020

Report of the Brighton and Hove Safeguarding Adults Board (copy attached)

Note: The previous Independent Chair of the Brighton and Hove Safeguarding Adults Board, Graham Bartlett has been invited to attend the Board in order to present his last Annual Report.

RESOLVED – (1) That the Board notes the report and commends partner agencies for their contribution to safeguarding adults with care and support needs; and

(2) Notes SAB achievements and challenges ( set out in Appendix 1).

25.1    The Board considered the Annual report of the Safeguarding Adults Board (BHSAB) for 2020. The report outlined progress made over the year in safeguarding adults with care and support needs. It covered the period 1 April 202 to 31 March 2021. It was a statutory requirement for the SAB to publish an annual report evaluating the effectiveness of safeguarding arrangements for adults with care and support needs.

25.2     Graham Bartlett, the outgoing Chair presented what would be his last report and outlined the challenges which the Board had met during the period covered by the report and the areas that it would be focusing on going forward. The Board co-ordinated local safeguarding activity and sought to ensure the effectiveness of local work by:

          Monitoring and scrutinising what was done by partner agencies to safeguard and promote the welfare of adults with care and support needs;

          Undertaking Safeguarding Adult Reviews (SARs) and other multi-agency learning review, audits and qualitative reviews as well as sharing learning opportunities;

          Collecting and analysing safeguarding data;

          Drawing evidence from the testimony of adults with care and support needs and front line professionals;

25.3    Mr Bartlett explained that in the wake of the continuing Covid 19 pandemic it had continued to be a challenging year. In recognition of that and to allow those working on the front line the time and space that they needed to continue their work the SAB had significantly reduced its work programme, particularly in respect of those areas which would have drawn on those in the city who were required to perform critical roles. Significant progress had been made in developing the Board’s protocols, understanding the Safeguardjng Adults Review (SAR) process and adopting innovative new ways of working.

25.4    Mr Bartlett went on to explain that learning from SARS was probably the best legacy which could be provided for those who had died. The Pan Sussex Adult Death Protocol had been developed during the period covered by the report following the completion of an East Sussex SAR in 2019-20. This would vastly improve how agencies responded to deaths where abuse or neglect was suspected, this was already making a difference and was being considered for adoption nationally. Mr Bartlett concluded by stating that he regarded his period as SAB Chair as a privilege and commended those who had assisted him by their support and engagement and welcomed his replacement who was a hugely experienced Chair.

25.5    The Chair and the other Board Members who were present commended the report and the lead provided by the outgoing Chair and were unanimous in placing on record their thanks for his valuable contribution and their best wishes to him in his future endeavours.

25.6    RESOLVED – (1) That the Board notes the report and commends partner agencies for their contribution to safeguarding adults with care and support needs; and

(2) Notes SAB achievements and challenges ( set out in Appendix 1).