Issue - meetings

Adoption of a new Safeguarding Policy (report of the Assistant Director – Communities and Housing Services enclosed).

Consideration was given to the report of the Assistant Director – Communities and Housing Services which requested adoption of a new Safeguarding Policy.

The Portfolio Holder for Health, Wellbeing, Conservation and Heritage presented the report.

Under the ‘Children Act 1989 and the Care Act 2014’ all local authorities were legally required to have safeguarding procedures in place. The policy under consideration laid out clear and consistent guidance to all officers and councillors across the South and East Lincolnshire Councils Partnership area, on how to deal with concerns they may have in respect to safeguarding vulnerable adults or children. This included where to seek advice and how to submit a case for further action.

The policy would be reviewed annually for minor changes such as practice updates from case reviews, which would be overseen by the Portfolio Holder for Health, Wellbeing, Conservation and Heritage.  A full review would also take place every four years, with any proposed revisions presented to Cabinet for approval to maintain strategic oversight and governance.

Supporting the strategy development and its subsequent actions, the shared Safeguarding Officer would play a key role in the administration of our safeguarding responsibilities.  This included ensuring appropriate training was in place and being undertaken for all officers and Councillors each year.

The Chief Executive commented that a lot of the good practice required in this area was already in place within the HRA.

DECISION:

1)    That Cabinet adopts the joint SELCP Safeguarding Policy.

2)    That Cabinet delegates authority to the Assistant Director – Communities and Housing Services in consultation with the Portfolio Holder to make minor amendments to the policy, ensuring it remains up to date with legislative changes and operational requirements.

3)    That the Assistant Director – Communities and Housing Services undertakes a full review of the policy every four years, with any proposed revisions presented to Cabinet for approval to maintain strategic oversight and governance.

(Other options considered:

·         An updated single policy for each council was considered but discounted due to the possible confusion this may cause.  Especially when considering the fundamental requirements of the Children Act 1989 and the Care Act 2014 are the same for all three councils;

Reasons for decision:

·         Under the Children Act 1989 and the Care Act 2014, all local authorities are legally required to have safeguarding measures in place, helping to protect children and vulnerable adults from abuse, neglect and exploitation;

·         Prior to the three councils moving to the South & East Lincolnshire Councils Partnership (SELCP), each council had their own safeguarding policy.  Following the move to a single workforce, including having a single Strategic Safeguarding Officer for the Partnership, a single policy will ensure a standardised approach to safeguarding exists across the councils and its functions).

To consider the new South and East Lincolnshire Council’s Partnership Safeguarding Policy prior to presentation at Cabinet (report of the Assistant Director – Communities and Housing Services enclosed).

Consideration was given to the report of the Assistant Director – Communities and Housing Services which considered the new South and East Lincolnshire Councils Partnership Safeguarding Policy prior to its presentation at Cabinet.

The Wellbeing Services Manager presented the report and highlighted that:

• The policy had been developed to create a unified safeguarding framework across the three councils within the partnership—South Holland District Council, Boston Borough Council, and East Lindsey District Council.

• The policy built upon South Holland’s existing safeguarding arrangements and incorporated best practice from across the partnership.
• The policy did not introduce major changes from the previous South Holland version but instead consolidated procedures and terminology to ensure consistency.

• The policy would be subject to a light-touch review annually, with a full governance review every three years.
• The policy was intended to be a living document, responsive to changes in legislation, job roles, and organisational structure. Future versions would include a table of amendments to help members track changes.

Members considered the report and made the following comments:

• A query was raised regarding the lack of highlighted changes in the document.
  • The Wellbeing Services Manager confirmed that this was a new policy combining the three councils’ previous versions, and that future updates would clearly show amendments.

• Members asked whether the policy had been presented to Boston Borough Council and East Lindsey District Council.
  • The Wellbeing Services Manager confirmed that this was the first presentation and that it would be taken through the governance processes of the other councils in the coming months.
• It was requested that review dates and issue dates be added to the document for clarity.

• A question was raised about contingency planning in the event of Local Government Reorganisation (LGR).
  • The Wellbeing Services Manager responded that the policy would be reviewed and adapted as necessary, and that safeguarding responsibilities would be reassessed under any new unitary authority arrangements.

• Members discussed the importance of ensuring the policy remained relevant as job titles and roles changed.
  • The Wellbeing Services Manager confirmed that the document would be updated accordingly.

• A query was raised about how members would be notified of changes.
  • The Wellbeing Services Manager confirmed that a table of amendments would be included in future versions to provide transparency.

• Members asked whether the Council had links with community health teams for safeguarding.
  • The Wellbeing Services Manager explained that while there were no direct teams, the Council engaged fully with the Lincolnshire Safeguarding Adults Board (LSAB) and the Lincolnshire Safeguarding Childrens Partnership (LSCP) run by Lincolnshire County Council, which included representatives from health, police, education, and other agencies.

• A question was raised about information sharing within housing services when safeguarding concerns arose.
  • The Assistant Director – Communities and Housing Services confirmed that Homelessness Officers were well-trained and aware of safeguarding protocols.
  • Concerns were flagged with the County Council, which managed the information-sharing process in line with statutory guidance.

AGREED:

a)    That the comments of the Panel be noted.

b)    That the Policy Development Panel be presented with an  ...  view the full minutes text for item 41