Issue - meetings

To consider and approve the new Safeguarding Policy for South Holland District Council (report of the Portfolio Holder Strategy, Governance and Transformation and the Executive Director Strategy and Governance enclosed).

Consideration was given to the report of the Portfolio Holder for Strategy, Governance and Transformation and the Executive Director Strategy and Governance, which asked the Cabinet to consider and approve the new Safeguarding Policy for South Holland District Council.

DECISION:

a)    That the Safeguarding Policy be adopted; and

b)    That delegated authority be given to the Executive Director for Strategy and Governance in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Strategy, Governance and Transformation to make minor amendments to this policy.

(Other options considered:

·         To do nothing.

Reasons for decision:

·         Under section 11 of the Children Act, the Authority has a duty to ensure its functions are discharged having regard to the need to safeguard and promote the welfare of children;

·         The Care Act 2014 requires the Authority to work with other agencies to prevent and stop the risk and experience of abuse or neglect, and ensure that adults wellbeing is promoted;

·         A policy is an essential part of meeting this requirement, and the Authority would be criticised by the Children and Adults Safeguarding Boards for failing to adopt and follow such a policy.)

To consider the new Safeguarding Policy for South Holland District Council (Report of the Portfolio Holder for Strategy, Governance and Transformation, and the Portfolio Holder for Communities and Facilities, enclosed)

Consideration was given to the report of the Portfolio Holder for Strategy, Governance and Transformation and the Portfolio Holder for Communities and Facilities which sought the panel’s recommendation that the Safeguarding Policy go forward to Cabinet for consideration.

The Licensing and Business Support Manager introduced the report stating that the policy had been influenced by similar policies held by other Lincolnshire authorities. It was stated that it was hoped that the implementation would be complimented with some training and extensive communications.

The Vice-Chairman asked what the term ‘mate crime’ was defined as. The Licensing and Business Support Manager responded that this was related to people maliciously befriending vulnerable people and exploiting them. The Licensing and Business Support Manager stated that she could include clarification of the ‘jargon’ in the report.

The Vice-Chairman asked if the Authority held responsibility for the acts of their contractors. The Licensing and Business Support Manager responded that the authority did take responsibility but that contractors were always asked for their safeguarding policy to ensure that it was complaint with SHDC’s

The Vice-Chairman stated that he had noticed a lack of reference to mental health issues. He wondered if the policy could be used to cover people with Mental Health issues. The Licensing and Business Support Manager responded that this was a good point and that she could put some work in to ensure that the policy had at least some cover for Mental Health issues

Members asked if anyone needed to receive a DBS check. The Licensing and Business Support Manager responded that officers of the Council would only require such a check in certain circumstances as prescribed by the guidance for DBS checks.

Members stated they had never been DBS checked and felt that the lack of demand for members to be checked seemed to be an oversight. Other members replied that it should be the responsibility of members themselves to take any necessary steps that were relevant to the work they wished to carry out. The Licensing and Business Support Manager responded that members were not checked because there were limitations on whom the authority were allowed to check, but stated that members may be free to apply for a check  themselves.

Members felt that it was expected that a District Councillor would have been DBS checked. They felt that all members would come into contact with children and vulnerable people as part of their duties. Members felt that they should be encouraged to volunteer for a DBS Check. Officers stated that they felt that this could be something that could be raised with the Democratic Services and Legal departments for clarification.

AGREED:

1)    That the Policy Development Panel notes the new safeguarding policy

2)    That the Policy Development Panel recommend that the policy goes to Cabinet for approval.