Agenda item

Barnsley Safeguarding Children Board (BSCB) Annual Report 2018-19

To consider a report of the Executive Director Core Services (Item 6a attached) in respect of BSCB’s Annual Report 2018-19 (Item 6b attached) and the Partnership’s Future Plans on a Page (Item 6c attached).

 

Minutes:

The following witnesses were welcomed to the meeting in addition to those who were in attendance for the previous item:

 

·         Nigel Leeder, Barnsley Safeguarding Children Board Manager, BMBC

·         Cllr Margaret Bruff, Cabinet Spokesperson – Children’s Services (formerly People - Safeguarding)

·         Mel John-Ross, Service Director, Children’s Social Care and Safeguarding, BMBC

·         Angela Fawcett, Designated Nurse Safeguarding Children and Looked After Children, Barnsley CCG

 

Bob Dyson, Independent Chair, Barnsley Safeguarding Children Board (BSCB), introduced this item and explained that this is the last annual report which will be produced in its current form, as the Government has changed the way safeguarding is organised.  The new partnership arrangements mean that the group is now known as the Barnsley Safeguarding Children Partnership (BSCP), retaining the strengths of the BSCB whilst looking for opportunities to improve.  It was highlighted that Barnsley’s journey has progressed from ‘inadequate’ to ‘requires improvement’ to ‘good’ via Ofsted inspections.  This provides independent verification that Barnsley has moved a long way, with a continuous service improvement plan and ambition to improve.

 

In the ensuing discussion, and in response to detailed questioning and challenge, the following issues were highlighted:

 

The BSCP has a partnership protocol to ensure that the work of the partnership is effectively shared across agencies, which is particularly relevant in the case of cross cutting issues.  It is also important that there is no duplication across sub-groups and any gaps which are identified are addressed.  Some work is escalated to other boards/partnerships as appropriate.  Regular meetings take place with other bodies such as Cabinet,  TEG etc.  It was noted that Berneslai Homes is represented on both the Adults’ and Children Boards and in respective sub-groups.

 

Concern was expressed that staff may not have the time and skills to be curious and persistent with children who are ‘hard to reach’.  Members were reassured that a structured multi-agency audit programme is in place to enable staff to do what they should, with systems and processes to ensure staff are curious.  Social Workers meet with managers regularly and have the tools to deal with issues – e.g. the Neglect Toolkit. Child Protection conferences have also improved.  It isn’t possible to know about every child across the Borough, there will always be hidden and vulnerable children, but once they are known about, staff across all agencies are persistent. 

 

A strong Early Help offer is in place, with a targeted youth service and good partnerships in place.  All schools have a designated safeguarding lead who deals with safeguarding, drug abuse, vaping and cyber bullying in schools, with any referrals going through MASH.  Such issues are addressed through a borough-wide approach, with Safeguarding lead officers attending training. 

All agencies monitor workloads, skills and experience of staff and ensure they are supported in their jobs.  More resources are always useful but the best use is made of existing resources.

 

 

The remit of the Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) sub-group has been widened to incorporate issues such as County Lines and Contextual Safeguarding and it is now known as the Child Exploitation (CE) Sub Committee.  The remit of the group also includes cyber bullying and social media, online safety and awareness raising through schools.  However, it must be acknowledged that the latter is resource intensive because of the rapidly changing nature of the apps used by young people.  The Child Exploitation and Online Protection command (CEOP) raise awareness and offer advice to parents, carers and other organisations and signpost to other agencies.

 

On behalf of the BSCB the Barnsley Safeguarding Children Multi Agency Training Programme represents one of the most comprehensive safeguarding training offers in the country with over 100 training courses, conferences and seminars available.  Training is provided to volunteers and voluntary organisations at nil cost.   

 

The Neglect sub-group was established in 2017 and continues to develop.  Neglect is now the most likely reason for a child to come in to care. 

 

RESOLVED that:

 

(i)            Members note the update and

 

(ii)          Witnesses be thanked for their attendance and contribution

 

 

Supporting documents:

 

A - Z Directory