Agenda item

To note the Haringey Safeguarding Adults Board (HSAB) Annual Report 2018/2019.

Dr Adi Cooper, Independent Chair of Haringey Safeguarding Adults Board (HSAB), introduced the Haringey Safeguarding Adults Board Annual Report 2018/19 as set out at pages 85-162 of the agenda pack. The Independent Chair of Haringey Safeguarding Adults Board highlighted two key areas of work by HSAB:

• Firstly, there had been significant work around homelessness and safeguarding; and
• Secondly, work had begun on Transitional Safeguarding, which was the interface between Children’s services and Adult’s services. This work entailed developing an understanding of the complexities and issues of young people in terms of their safeguarding needs and assessing how there could be improvements through joint work across Children’s and Adult’s services.

It was noted that there was ongoing work to improve safeguarding across the partnership.

The following was noted in discussion of this item:

1. Regarding developments in children’s safeguarding, the Director of Children’s Services explained that that the Local Safeguarding Children Board (LSCB) was replaced by an equitable system between the CCG, the police and the Council’s Children’s service. It was highlighted that in the previous arrangement, Children’s services were the lead, but in the current arrangement, there was joint responsibility and accountability for the systems in place for children and young people. It was noted that this arrangement for children’s safeguarding was in statute, and it was suggested that this arrangement could be considered for adult’s safeguarding. In response, the Independent Chair of Haringey Safeguarding Adults Board noted that the Care Act 2014 Guidance made it clear that the statutory partners were the local authority, the police and health provider. It was highlighted that the arrangements for Adult safeguarding had both similarities and differences with the children’s safeguarding arrangements. In terms of differences, the adult safeguarding arrangements had a hierarchical system, rather than an equitable system. On the other hand, similarly to the children’s safeguarding arrangements, the statutory members for Adult’s safeguarding maintain a core shared responsibility around acting on duties as a Safeguarding Adult’s Board. The Independent Chair of Haringey Safeguarding Adults Board appreciated the suggestion made by the Director of Children’s services in terms of shifting safeguarding arrangements from Local Authority led to a shared responsibility between partners but acknowledged that Adult safeguarding was on that journey of moving towards a more shared arrangement.
2. The Cabinet Member for Communities and Equalities enquired whether the HSAB remit covered transition from the youth justice system to the adult justice system. In response, the Independent Chair of Haringey Safeguarding Adults Board explained that the transitional safeguarding agenda incorporated a broader range than what was historically considered as young people in care transitioning into adulthood. It was noted that although transition from the youth justice system to the adult justice system was not completely outside the HSAB remit, particularly as probation services were part of the HSAB, it was not specifically relevant to the HSAB’s business agenda. In terms of transitional safeguarding, the Director of Adults and Health added that both the Assistant Director for Children’s services and Assistant Director of Adults attended a joint training session to obtain a better understanding of transitional safeguarding, the outcome of which was a shared endeavour between Children’s services and Adult services on transitional safeguarding, for example the Principal Social Workers of both services were working jointly on a Vulnerable People’s Policy. The Vulnerable People’s Policy was currently in development and the Policy would be taken to the respective boards for further discussion.
3. In response to a query regarding safeguarding adults from fast evolving cyber-crime, the Independent Chair of Haringey Safeguarding Adults Board noted that the criteria set out in the Care and Support statutory guidance of the definition of safeguarding adults was not exhaustive, however a couple of years ago, internet scam had been added onto the criteria under ways in which adults could be abused. It was further noted that there was a public event at cinema at Wood Green earlier in the year, which included presentations to promote awareness of different ways individuals could be scammed. It was highlighted that raising awareness of cyber abuse for older vulnerable individuals was important, particularly as University research findings showed that the elderly were more vulnerable to scamming, especially financial fraud and romance fraud.   
4. The Board welcomed the work carried out by the HSAB, particularly around raising awareness around safeguarding by the mainstream voluntary sector, and also around homelessness safeguarding.

RESOLVED that

1. The Board noted the Safeguarding Adults Board Annual Report 2018-2019.