Agenda item

Annual Report of the Barnsley Local Safeguarding Children Board (HWB.03.10.2017/7)

Minutes:

The Independent Chair of the Barnsley Safeguarding Children’s Board, Bob Dyson, attended the meeting to present the annual report on its activities during 2016/17.  The report highlighted achievements during the year and lessons learned, together with priorities and plans for the year to March 2018.

 

The meeting noted the more complex structure of the Children’s Safeguarding Board, compared to that for Adults, which was necessary given the complexity of children’s safeguarding issues.  The meeting noted the particular achievement in developing the new neglect strategy, given this was the first early warning of safeguarding concerns, and the development of operational guidance and tools in this area.

 

The meeting noted the proposals for a stocktake in November to consider the requirements of the new Ofsted framework that would come into force from January 2018.  The more supportive focus of the new framework was welcomed, with work in hand to prepare for any possible inspection during 2018.

 

The meeting noted how the report demonstrated the Board’s approach to continual learning and achieving a cultural shift among partners, particularly to support service audits.  The meeting noted the success of Safeguarding Awareness Week during July, with young people relating their experience of safeguarding and a conference to consider the links between mental health, substance misuse and domestic abuse in relation to children’s safeguarding.  The meeting noted that the South Yorkshire Police and Crime Commissioner had attended the conference and was keen to support proposals for a safeguarding week coordinated across South Yorkshire in 2018.

 

The meeting noted the importance of developing the stronger resilient communities aspect of children’s safeguarding, focusing beyond processes and workforce development within agencies.  The importance of helping communities to identify the signs of neglect and how to report it was acknowledged.

 

RESOLVED:-

 

(i)        that the annual report of the Safeguarding Children’s Board for 2016/17 be received;

 

(ii)       that the success of Safeguarding Awareness Week during 2017 be noted and the plans to coordinate this across South Yorkshire in 2018 be welcomed; and

 

(iii)      that the importance of developing community approaches to children’s safeguarding be acknowledged.

Supporting documents:

 

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