Issue - meetings

The Board received a report setting out revisions to the Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults Policy and Procedures.

It was noted that a multi-agency approach to the safeguarding of vulnerable adults in the Borough had first been implemented across the Council and Partner organisations in 2002. Since 2002 there had been significant improvements in awareness and the number of instances of suspected abuse being reported had risen. In order to increase capacity and support stakeholders, the post of Adult Protection Manager had been created. Resources for this post had been identified within budget proposals for 2008/09.

The Board discussed the new policy and procedures and in response to a query, the Board was advised that although a multi-agency approach was being taken, each individual organisation would still be accountable, via its own internal procedures, if a serious incident were to occur.

It was noted that family members were informed, where appropriate, if there was a suspicion of abuse. However, if there was any suspicion of abuse by a family member, they would not be informed of an investigation.

The Board discussed training arrangements and it was recognised that organisations across the partnership would require further training in order to meet the requirements placed on them under the policy.  It was recognised that the Council had made a significant investment in relation to training around the new Safeguarding arrangements and that further training would be arranged as required. 

The Chair emphasised the need for there to be clarity around the reporting process and for all organisations to report instances of suspected abuse to the Local Authority as the central contact point.

It was noted that the Terms of Reference currently stated that the quorum for the Haringey Safeguarding Adults Board should consist of a minimum of five members. However, the wording around the mix of the five members was unclear and it was agreed that this should be amended to reflect that the quorum should include at least three members from both the Council and PCT with a minimum of one from each.

There was agreement that Board should receive regular report on this issue in order to monitor how the Strategy was being implemented across the partnership.

RESOLVED:

1. That the revised policy and procedures be endorsed by the Board and commended to all stakeholders across the partnership for implementation.

2. That stakeholder within the Partnership review internal procedures to ensure that they are aligned to the revised policy and procedures.