Agenda item

To consider a report of the Director of HR, Performance and Communications (Item 5a attached) in respect of BSCB’s Annual Report 2015-16 (Item 5b attached).

The Chair welcomed the following witnesses to the meeting which included the

following:

• Bob Dyson, Independent Chair, BSCB
• Rachel Dickinson, Executive Director, People Directorate, BMBC
• Brigid Reid, Chief Nurse, Barnsley Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG)
• Sharon Galvin, Designated Nurse Safeguarding Children, Barnsley CCG
• Mel Palin, Detective Chief Inspector, South Yorkshire Police (SYP)
• Shelley Hemsley, Superintendent, SYP
• Mel John-Ross, Service Director, Children’s Social Care and Safeguarding, BMBC
• Nigel Leeder, BSCB Manager, BMBC
• Cllr Margaret Bruff, Cabinet Spokesperson - People (Safeguarding), BMBC

Bob Dyson gave a brief introduction to the committee explaining the report has now been published some time and demonstrates the achievements of the Board and the work of its sub-committees.

Members proceeded to ask the following questions:

1. How many cases of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) have there been in this country and what is in place to prevent them?

Members were advised following the introduction of new legislation, this led to the questioning and reporting of an initial 6 cases in the first 3 months of reporting. To the present date we are aware of 14 cases in Barnsley, however they had all taken place in the country of origin not whilst in the UK. Checks are also made with the ladies regarding their children.

2. Have there been any successful prosecutions for cases of FGM; what checks/procedures are in place, and following finding evidence of FGM and enquiries being made, how are these acted upon?

The group were advised one case which made the headlines was related to a surgeon correcting a previous FGM procedure. There have been no prosecutions in this country, only in France. The parents of these children in every other aspect are loving and not abusive. Therefore in this aspect we need to re-educate them and make them aware of the law in this country and that it carries a custodial sentence. Although they are loving parents this does not excuse this act.

3. It is important is it not that we don’t let over-sensitivity to culture over-ride sense when it comes to prosecuting these crimes?

The witnesses confirmed it is illegal and we would seek to prosecute any offenders. It is set out as child abuse under our safeguarding procedures and we would investigate it as a safeguarding matter. Work has been done by our Designated Nurse by attending events by a range of religions to raise awareness and educate them in relation to the legalities of this crime. 

4. What has been learnt from Serious Case Reviews (SCR) and how has this influenced practice?

Members were advised three SCRs have been published in the last 12 months; however there were no fundamental failings of services. Some recommendations emerged from each of the reviews which are highlighted in the annual report, for example where children had not attended medical appointments. Another issue has been the lack of curiosity around men and women’s lives who are connected with the young person as these people may have played an adverse part in a child’s life. We have followed up these recommendations and have an action plan in place including new elements built into training courses.

5. The report indicates there have been a high number of pupils who have been expelled; what support is being provided to them in schools?

The committee were advised exclusions have featured as part of the BSCB report; however this is monitored through the Children’s Trust Executive Group (TEG) which is chaired by the Executive Director of People. The BSCB Chair and Executive Director have however met with a specific school regarding their concerns. Support is available to schools such as behavioural support plans put in place. All our schools have policies in relation to exclusions and the schools are challenged on these. Concerns have been raised regarding the rise in fixed term exclusions in schools and we have undertaken some managed moves. Barnsley Alliance has also undertaken some work regarding fixed term exclusions and best practice has been shared regarding managing behaviour.

6. Nationally there has been an increase in private schools, which can mean there are 3-4 children in one house at a charge of £25K each per year upwards and they are not on the Ofsted radar. This practice has been widespread amongst those of ethnic minorities. Is this an emerging problem in Barnsley?

The group were advised if there are less than five pupils then establishments don’t have to register with Ofsted. We have good communication arrangements with schools and although the board is not aware of any such establishments, in Barnsley, it remains alert to it.

7. What has been the impact of the Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH)?

Members were advised this is situated in Worsbrough, and due to the partner agencies working together in the same building, this allows for instant access to and communication of information to keep children safe. SYP work across the County and there is a MASH in each area; Barnsley’s of which has been running since July 2016. There will be a review next year to look at the work being done in all the MASHs. This new way of working took time to embed however the benefits of being co-located and the information sharing which takes place cannot be overstated. Also, by different agencies working so closely together helps them to understand the needs and objectives of each organisation including health, social care, education and the police. The biggest concern regarding serious case reviews (SCRs) was regarding timely information sharing; therefore the MASH arrangements enable this.

8. Are the voices of children being heard?

The committee were advised the BSCB uses school settings to hold their meetings in, which enables young people to share their experiences and for board members to hear from them. During child protection conferences there is now more of a focus on hearing from the family including the children. Case file audits have also been undertaken to look at the quality of work; the voice of the child of which is a specific component. In relation to Child Protection Plans, we invest in an advocacy service in Barnsley to ensure the voice of the young person is heard.

9. How effective are our strategies and plans in relation to safeguarding children and what are the key challenges for BSCB for the next 12 months?

The group were advised we have sub-groups to look at our policies and procedures, such as those in relation to FGM. Similarly we have a group which looks at CSE and drives this action plan. The challenges moving forwards include the level of available resources that partners can bring to safeguarding. Most agencies have seen reductions in their budgets however we need to ensure that child safeguarding is a priority. We need people to raise concerns regarding children if they have them and we are also taking the opportunity to raise awareness amongst the public where possible. This includes writing articles in Barnsley Chronicle as well as holding Safeguarding Awareness Week, which we held this year and we plan to repeat next year.

10. Are plans effective and fit for purpose?

Members were advised that Barnsley has good practice in relation to service improvement. There is a comprehensive improvement plan in place which follows the journey of the child. It is a robust process which enables us to be self-critical, with people being held to account regarding issues which are not signed off until evidence is shown that actions are complete. People are also constantly asking what else needs to be included in the plans. A joint meeting is being held between BSCB and the Children’s TEG to go through the improvement plans so people can see the work undertaken.

11. Have the recommendations from what has happened in Rotherham and best practice from other areas been incorporated into our ways of working?

The committee were advised BSCB has a dedicated CSE sub-group which Mel Palin from SYP chairs. Beneath the strategy is an action plan which looks at local findings as well as recommendations from SCRs nationally being fed into our sub-group. In Barnsley, our CSE profile is different to Rotherham; we tend to have older males in their early twenties being in inappropriate relationships with younger females. There is good practice in this area, including the MASH but we also have a social care investigations team, multi-agency CSE team, health and police teams as well as Barnsley Sexual Abuse and Rape Crisis Services (BSARCS) who provide therapeutic support. The service is very proactive and doesn’t wait for children to become victims; they look for the signs and intervene. SYP’s strategy in relation to operational delivery is to look at offenders of CSE and target them as well as specific locations.

12. Is there regular contact with children who have been taken out of mainstream education and are being home-school educated?

The group were advised the BSCB Chair wrote a recent article in Barnsley Chronicle regarding children being home-schooled as we have recently seen an increase. BSCB’s key concerns in relation to this are that schools provide an early-warning in relation to safeguarding concerns, therefore if a child is not in school there are less people able to make sure the child is safe.

Previously, if there was a breakdown in the relationship between a school and a child/parent, a 21 day ‘cooling off’ period was in place, to allow for the situation to improve. However, there is now legislation in place which means we can no longer have this local arrangement. We can’t inspect to see if a child is getting an effective home education, however our Education Welfare Team do try to engage with these parents.

13. Does the board work closely with Berneslai Homes, and do front-line officers report any concerns they find?

Members were advised the board has been very impressed with Berneslai Homes. For example one of the managers in the Trades Services ensured that every member of staff, such as plumbers, were aware that if they saw something they were concerned about then they were to report it. Berneslai Homes do make referrals to BSCB and also to Barnsley Safeguarding Adults’ Board (BSAB). They have relevant policies and procedures in place and also have Family Intervention Officers.

14. Has the review of the role and functions of Local Safeguarding Children Boards, identified in the Wood report, led to any recommendations the board will need to implement?

The committee were advised the report suggests the removal of a statutory requirement for a local safeguarding board, but it will be up to BMBC, SYP and NHS representatives to decide on this. The BSCB Chair advised he is due to meet with the SY Police Crime Commissioner and this item is on the agenda, however there are concerns that a SY one would lose focus. BSCB has discussed the issues raised in the Wood report and were in agreement that it is local relationships and local understanding of roles which helps keep people safe.

15. Are we confident we know which children are in private fostering arrangements?

The group were advised the board cannot be sure of these and we rely on information from others such as schools and local residents; however we continue to try and raise awareness regarding this.

The Chair commented he was impressed by the work being done by the board; thanked them for their attendance and helpful contribution, and declared this part of the meeting closed.

Action Points

1. Members to encourage the public to participate in the NHS consultations on proposed changes to Hyper Acute Stroke Services and Non-specialised Children's Surgery & Anaesthesia Services.
2. NHS Sustainability and Transformation Plan (STP) to be brought to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee for discussion.
3. Dates and times of the public consultation meetings to be circulated to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee.
4. ‘Easy read’ version of the consultation papers to be circulated to members of the committee.
5. All to promote awareness of safeguarding being everyone’s business and to report any concerns.