Issue - meetings

A review of the Pan-Dorset arrangements for the delivery of the Safeguarding Children’s’ Partnership has been considered by the statutory partners: Dorset Police, NHS Dorset and both local authorities (LAs) involved in the Pan-Dorset arrangements, BCP Childrens Services and Dorset Children’s Services. The review recommends that the partnership arrangements be delivered separately for each LA.  This report will therefore set out the recommendation made by the partners who have been given the delegated authority to conduct the statutory duties for their organisation.

RESOLVED that Cabinet agreed separation of the Pan-Dorset Safeguarding Children arrangements and the creation a Dorset Safeguarding Children’s Partnership and a BCP Safeguarding Children’s Partnership in order to meet the needs of two separate Local Authorities and enable the effectiveness of the partnership arrangements moving forward.

Voting: Unanimous

Portfolio Holder: Children and Young People

Reasons

One of the fundamental reasons behind this proposal is the difference between the two local authorities within the existing partnership. The authorities operate differently, and their approaches to safeguarding and working practices often diverge. The recent changes outlined in the Working Together Guidance 2023 pose an additional challenge for our current Pan-Dorset arrangement. With the removal of the Independent Chair role, implementing the necessary changes becomes considerably more complex under a Pan-Dorset arrangement. By transitioning to a Dorset Safeguarding Partnership and a separate BCP Safeguarding Partnership, both authorities can adapt their structures and procedures seamlessly to align with the revised guidelines. This will enable them to fulfil their safeguarding responsibilities independently and effectively across the region, with each Director of Children's Services maintaining individual responsibility and being supported by scrutineers.

The Portfolio Holder for Children and Young People presented a report, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member and a copy of which appears as Appendix 'L' to these Minutes in the Minute Book.

Cabinet was advised that a review of the Pan-Dorset arrangements for the delivery of the Safeguarding Children’s’ Partnership had been considered by the statutory partners: Dorset Police, NHS Dorset and both local authorities (LAs) involved in the Pan-Dorset arrangements, BCP Childrens Services and Dorset Children’s Services, and that the review recommended that the partnership arrangements be delivered separately for each LA. 

Cabinet was informed that this report therefore set out the recommendation made by the partners who have been given the delegated authority to conduct the statutory duties for their organisation.

Cabinet spoke in support of the report citing the importance of ensuring there is a seamless transition and that cross boarder working continues particularly for those who boarder BCP and Dorset.

RESOLVED that Cabinet agreed separation of the Pan-Dorset Safeguarding Children arrangements and the creation a Dorset Safeguarding Children’s Partnership and a BCP Safeguarding Children’s Partnership in order to meet the needs of two separate Local Authorities and enable the effectiveness of the partnership arrangements moving forward.

Voting: Unanimous

Portfolio Holder: Children and Young People

Reasons

One of the fundamental reasons behind this proposal is the difference between the two local authorities within the existing partnership. The authorities operate differently, and their approaches to safeguarding and working practices often diverge. The recent changes outlined in the Working Together Guidance 2023 pose an additional challenge for our current Pan-Dorset arrangement. With the removal of the Independent Chair role, implementing the necessary changes becomes considerably more complex under a Pan-Dorset arrangement. By transitioning to a Dorset Safeguarding Partnership and a separate BCP Safeguarding Partnership, both authorities can adapt their structures and procedures seamlessly to align with the revised guidelines. This will enable them to fulfil their safeguarding responsibilities independently and effectively across the region, with each Director of Children's Services maintaining individual responsibility and being supported by scrutineers.