To receive the annual report of the Local Safeguarding Children’s Board.  Please note the annual report is available electronically from this link http://www.centralbedfordshirelscb.org.uk/assets/1/final_annual_report_2014_2015_amended_oct_2015-1.pdf and is not included in the Agenda pack.

The Chairman of the Safeguarding Children’s Board introduced the LSCB Annual Report 2013/14 and explained the functions of the board.

The Chairman drew the attention of Members to several keys aspects of the report including the excellent working arrangement of partners in seeking out vulnerable children.  The East London Foundation Trust had been given a place on the Board and an audit had been undertaken on the mental health referral hub.  An on going challenge was to ensure the voices of children were heard and that lessons from national and local serious care reviews were shared and improvements implemented.  Performance in relation to child assessments had been monitored and sought reassurance that those children placed outside of the Central Bedfordshire area were safeguarded.

The numbers of private fostering arrangements remained low and was a concern to the Board.  A new sub group of the Board had been set up to specifically to collect the views of children.  Also of concern were delays in setting up a single point of contact for service users.  Some partners had been slow to sign up to new arrangements.

Learnings from three serious case reviews would be published in the New Year and the Board would ensure actions were implemented.  The Board would also focus on the readiness of the Police to deal with reports of cultural abuse and children in other dangerous settings.

In light of the report Members queried the following:-

·         Whether an assessment had been undertaken of the training delivered to other agencies.  The Chairman advised that LSCB training was shared with all board Members and their agencies and full details were outlined in the annual report.  A performance sub group looked at key measures including Police and Health data and early help had been key in reducing the numbers of looked after children.

·         The joint working arrangements that existed with adults and the supporting families programme existed and if vulnerable children at risk were known to the Board.  The Chairman advised the key strategic boards communicated regularly and information was passed on regarding children at risk.

·         Whether a children’s charter had been considered.  The Assistant Director advised that a children’s pledge existed, however, there was a need to refresh this.  The Corporate Parenting Panel would undertake this piece of work.

·         Whether a Key Performance Indicator could be introduced to capture the happiness or effectiveness of safeguarding a child in care.  The Safeguarding Board’s Voice of the Child sub group had been tasked with finding a measure for this.   Through Public Health, schools survey young people about their resilience and wellbeing and it was feasible to collate information on children on protection plans and in care.

RECOMMENDED

1.    That the Children’s Pledge be circulated to the Committee.

2.    That the Committee’s thanks be extended to the Safeguarding Children Board.

That the Board’s Annual Report 2014/15 be submitted to the Children Service OSC in October 2016.