Issue - meetings

 The Independent Member of the Committee, will  put forward a  proposed programme of audits related to examining safeguarding  practices . This is in  accordance with the  committee’s qualitative role  of considering  detailed case studies  into  how safeguarding policies  are followed  in practice on a day to day basis. To be tabled

The Independent Member updated the committee on the compilation of the committee work plan for 2012/13. This would be   informed by discussions with the LSCB manager and there would be further contact with the Head of First Response about the service audits occurring in the forthcoming year and which ones could be considered by the committee.  The following topics were put forward:

• End of year Performance data for safeguarding in comparison to comparator borough and national data 

• Looking at how lessons can be learnt from Serious Case Reviews in particular looking at “looking at lessons learnt” a key section   from the SCR on baby Peter and how we can show that the lessons have been integrated into the work of the service 

• Potentially considering service audits into cases involving: unborn babies, neglect referrals and re-referrals jointly with Children’s Centres. (Subject to discussion with the  Head of First Response)

• Considering the interface between Safeguarding and Adult services. In November considering cases subject to planning where a parent has substance misuse issues.

• Exploring the interface between Mental Health services and Safeguarding services in cases which are subject to child protection planning.

• A report on the work with families, who have no recourse to public funds.

• A report on interface between Safeguarding and other key partner agencies which provides an understanding of their communication lines.

 The Chair touched upon the current governance review which was considering the current role and functions of this committee. He indicated that discontinuation with devolution of its functions was a possibility. The Independent Member advised that the scrutiny function of this committee was still needed and if the committee was to be decommissioned it would be important for this function to be passed to the appropriate body. Committee Members commented on how they had found the detailed case analysis important to getting a real understanding of the work in safeguarding. They agreed that the Independent Member should highlight the key scrutiny functions of the committee to appropriate members and officers and continue working on the work programme as the chosen audits and focus areas could still be transferred to the appropriate children’s body.

RESOLVED

That a final work programme for Safeguarding Policy and Practice Committee for 2012/13 be  completed by the Independent Member and distributed to committee members for information