Agenda item

6.1

The Committee received a report of the Executive Director, People Services, attaching the Safeguarding Children Board Annual Report 2017/18.

6.2

In attendance for this item were Jane Haywood, MBE (Independent Chair, Sheffield Safeguarding Children Board (SSCB)), Victoria Horsefield (Assistant Director, Children and Families Service and Professional Advisor to the Board) and Dan White (Sheffield Futures).

6.3

Jane Haywood introduced the report, which outlined the progress that had been made during the year, together with the key challenges ahead for the City to ensure that its children were safe from harm, abuse and neglect.  Ms Haywood referred to her role as Independent Chair, and reported that the Board was responsible for monitoring performance across its partners and challenging the partners when it considered that improvements were required.  She stressed that despite experiencing challenging circumstances, the partners remained strong, and continued to challenge each other when necessary. 

6.4

Ms Haywood reported on the priorities for 2018/19, specifically relating to the need for the Board to continue the joint transition programme with Adult Safeguarding to ensure that the most vulnerable young people received the right help and support as they moved into adulthood.  She added that, whilst this area of work was complex, and there was still room for improvement, it was considered that now that there was relevant leadership in place, and that partners were clear on their positions, this would assist with this area of work.  Ms Haywood referred to the new guidance recently published by the Government, one element of which was to change the name from Safeguarding Children Boards to Local Safeguarding Partnerships, with effect from April 2019.  Other key changes resulting from the Government guidance included the decision to remove the Operational Board due to the duplification of roles with the Executive Board, and the recognition for closer working between Adult and Children’s Safeguarding Boards.  It had been agreed that there would be one Chair for each of the two Boards, but that the two Boards would meet annually to agree priorities. A further recommendation from the Government related to proposals for serious case reviews to be considered at a national level.

6.5

Members of the Committee raised questions, and the following responses were provided:-

·             The Board reviewed its annual Business Plan on a quarterly basis, and noted progress made in terms of its functions.  There had been a slight delay in terms of the drafting of the Business Plan for 2018/19, mainly due to the new arrangements required following the Government guidance.  Whilst the current Business Plan centred on existing priorities, including child sexual exploitation, transition and neglect, it included two new priorities – child criminal exploitation and contextual safeguarding.  Whilst the Board would look at new emerging themes, it was important that it continued to look at the core elements of child protection and child sexual exploitation as they must always remain priority areas.

·             It was acknowledged that there had been a large percentage increase in the number of referrals to Children’s Social Care, with such an increase having been replicated nationally.  It was believed that such an increase was partly due to better reporting practices and processes.  There was also a better understanding of intervention thresholds due to work with professionals to help them apply thresholds more effectively.

·             It was important to note that the figures in the report related to 2017/18. During that year, the Sheffield Safeguarding Hub was established, and was being embedded into practice.  The highest proportion of the referrals came from the police, and related mainly to concerns about domestic abuse.  Work was currently taking place to look at whether all referrals to the Hub were appropriate, or could be dealt with by the early intervention services.  Ofsted had undertaken a focussed visit in April 2018, looking specifically at the "front door" and referrals into Children’s Social Care. Ofsted had been satisfied with the arrangements, and that correct safeguarding decisions were being made.  The increase in the number of referrals could also be viewed as a positive sign, in that the systems were working more effectively, resulting in more children and young people being identified at risk, at an early stage, and who then received the right support. 

·             There were Community Youth Teams, a multi-agency specialist service for vulnerable young people, which had been commissioned by the City Council.  It was confirmed that they operated in the Beauchief and Greenhill Ward. The Teams, which provided a targeted, early help service which aimed to support young people aged 10 to 18 into positive destinations, and reduce the likelihood of them entering the criminal justice system, worked closely with the young people in terms of designing the programmes of activity.  It was accepted that there were a number of young people were not engaging with the Teams, or any other similar services.  Officers from Sheffield Futures had met with the Headteacher of Meadowhead School, providing help and advice in terms of how the school could identify, and help stop any vulnerable young people getting involved in serious criminal activity.  It had been identified that relevant services needed to work together in order to make best use of the resources and facilities available which, given the current economic situation, was proving difficult.  The Teams would also organise a number of outreach sessions, where members of staff would provide a rapid response facility, and organise holiday sessions, where young people would be taken away on trips.  Details of the youth activities, including dates and times of sessions, in the Beauchief and Greenhill Ward, would be forwarded to all Members of the Committee.

·             Weekly meetings were held to review all areas of the workforce in the Children and Families Service to ensure there was sufficient capacity to deal with referrals and re-referrals.  It was accepted that the Service had, and continued to have, difficulties recruiting experienced social workers.  This was a national issue, and not just seen in Sheffield. There were currently 192 full-time social workers, with additional investment to recruit over and above this level.  The Service had experienced problems over the last few years in terms of a number of experienced social workers moving to other local authorities which, for various reasons, were able to pay higher salaries. Fortunately, this situation had now been largely stemmed. Recruitment campaigns were ongoing to ensure that Sheffield was seen as an attractive place to both live and work.

6.6

RESOLVED: That the Committee:-

(a)      notes the contents of the report now submitted, and the Safeguarding Children Board Annual Report 2017/18, together with the responses to the questions now raised;

(b)      thanks Jane Haywood, Victoria Horsefield and Dan White for attending the meeting, and responding to the questions raised;

(c)      expresses its support for the Safeguarding Children Board to:-

(i)          remain a Sheffield-based body; and

(ii)         continue the joint working with the Adult Safeguarding Board; and

(d)      indicates that it would not be in favour of the Government proposal to have serious case reviews considered at a national level.