Agenda item

Barnsley Safeguarding Adults Board (BSAB) Annual Report 2019-20

To consider a report of the Executive Director Services (Item 4a attached) in respect of BSAB’s Annual Report (Item 4b attached).

Minutes:

The following witnesses were welcomed to the meeting: 

 

Bob Dyson, Independent Chair, BSAB

Wendy Lowder, Executive Director – Adults & Communities, BMBC

Julie Chapman, Service Director – Adult Social Care & Health, BMBC

Cath Erine, Barnsley Safeguarding Adults Board Manager, BMBC

Cllr Jenny Platts, Cabinet Spokesperson – Adults & Communities, BMBC

 

Susan Brook, Designated Nurse Safeguarding Adults, Barnsley CCG

Becky Hoskins, Deputy Director of Nursing & Quality, Barnsley Hospital NHS Foundation Trust (BHNFT)

Emma Cox, Assistant Director of Nursing, Quality & Professions, SWYPFT

Chief Superintendent Sarah Poolman, Barnsley District Commander, South Yorkshire Police (SYP) attempted to join the meeting; however, was unable to due to technical issues

 

Cllr Platts introduced the report, outlining the work of the Board and its local and regional partners over the last 12 months, emphasising the strong commitment to Safeguarding from all agencies as evidenced within the report. 

 

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

 

It was acknowledged that substance misuse was having a great impact on vulnerable adults and the wider community.  Substance abuse can often lead to other issues such as self-neglect and hoarding.  There has been a lot of preventative work to keep people who are misusing substances and their family members safe.  Substance abusers often present with a cocktail of issues and partnership working is essential, as evidenced by the work done by the organisation Humankind in terms of behaviour change and housing issues. There are specific challenges in some communities and an offer was made to discuss such specific issues outside of the meeting with individual members.  Substance issue may be an area for Scrutiny to consider as part of its work programme.

 

It was reported that there are more safeguarding referrals from care homes than anywhere else although this has reduced from last year.  Many of the issues do not require further action but are reported by care home providers in order to demostrate that they take safeguarding seriously.  Reassurances have been given to providers that if incidents and concerns are dealt with appropriately (i.e. using the decision support guidance and keeping records of concerns not shared with adult social care) they will meet the requirements set out by the CQC.  Care homes are monitored and the training offer to care homes is to be increased, and the appointment of a multi-agency trainer will assist with this.

 

There is a regular programme of announced and unannounced visits to care homes carried out by BMBC, partners and the CQC to raise standards and offer challenge.  A multi-agency Quality Improvement Panel is to be set up shortly and will use information from a variety of sources to pull together an analysis of issues and actions.  All care homes have a Visitor’s Book which is often well used. 

A member felt that care home workers should be commended for the work they do, particularly throughout the pandemic, and for their vocation and commitment to the role.  It was acknowledged that there is a challenge in recruiting and retaining nurses and carers in the private sector, particularly when pay rates for providing nursing care in private nursing homes are below those provided in the public sector.   

 

Lessons have been learned from the case studies within the report and practice is shared across the whole system.  The Adult Multi Agency Trainer will bring the case studies to life and will be used as a training tool.  The post has gone out to advert and it is hoped the postholder will start work within the next couple of months.  A quarterly newsletter is also produced for wider circulation.  It was pointed out that all agencies have responsibilities towards their staff and there is always room for improvement. 

 

Barnsley is at the forefront of work around self-neglect and hoarding and its policies and procedures have been adopted by others.   It appears that the pandemic has helped to raise awareness of people living within the community with these issues, which have to be tackled tactfully as often people have lived this way for some time.  Actual numbers relating to hoarding will be provided after the meeting.

 

Anecdotal information indicates that levels of domestic abuse have increased.  Members were reassured that the lines of communication and liaison processes are robust between the hospital, the community and services, particularly emergency duty teams.  Patients are subject to facilitated conversations and are signposted to services or can make a formal referral if they want to do that.  The Violence Reduction plan is due to be brought to Cabinet shortly and Members will have the opportunity to contribute to it.  The MARAC meets fortnightly and works closely with all partners including probation, adult and children’s social care using a case management approach.  IDAS has recently been received from the Ministry of Justice which will help with this work.

 

RESOLVED that:

 

(i)            Members note the update and

 

(ii)          Witnesses be thanked for their attendance and contribution

 

Supporting documents:

 

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