Agenda item

Local Safeguarding Children Board Annual Report

Minutes:

The Panel received the Local Safeguarding Children Board Annual Report which provided an account of the Board’s activities in the financial year April 2018-March 2019. Members noted that some of the electronic links in the report did not work but that the documents could be made available on request.

 

Nick Georgiou, Independent Chair of Slough Safeguarding Boards, introduced the report and advised that the main message was that there had been significant changes required by the Department for Education (DfE) in terms of child safeguarding. The DfE had indicated that the establishment of the Slough Safeguarding Leaders Group was to be welcomed.

 

In response to a Member’s question in relation to awareness training, the Independent Chair stated that this was a good illustration of how different agencies were working together. Betty Lynch, Safeguarding Partnership Manager, added that the different boards had worked together in order to encourage attendance at safeguarding training with approximately 40 professionals attending each session.

 

The Chair of the Panel sought reassurance that support for schools and teachers was included as part of the training agenda and was advised that the Director of Children’s Services chaired the Safeguarding Partnership and that a coordinator assisted schools with training. In addition, emerging topics were discussed with schools.

 

A Member questioned the increase in the number of allegations referred to the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO). The Chair of the Board explained that this was a positive in that allegations were being referred and was an indication that the process was working, particularly when the outcomes were considered. The Safeguarding Partnership Manager added that the LADO was employed by the Children’s Trust and had provided intensive training on safeguarding which had, in turn, increased awareness.

 

In response to a Member’s question in relation to the number of children fostered privately, the Chair of the Board stated that he would question the accuracy of the figures. Awareness of the issues around private fostering needed to be increased, particularly in schools. An officer advised that private fostering was the term used when a child went to live with an individual who was not a member of their immediate or extended family for 28 days or more. These children were potentially quite vulnerable.

 

Resolved – That the report be noted.

 

Supporting documents: