Agenda item

The Pan-Dorset Safeguarding Children Partnership (PDSCP) is the statutory body which oversees multi-agency safeguarding services which covers the local Dorset and BCP council areas.  This report contains a background and introduction to the functions of the partnership and the council’s responsibilities.

The annual report of the PDSCP is provided as an attachment for consideration by cabinet. The annual report includes reflections on 2021/22; strategic priorities for 2022 to 2024; learning from practice; information from the Child Death Overview Panel; summary of multi-agency training; achievements from each of the statutory safeguarding partner organisations and sub-groups of the partnership.

The Independent Chair of the Pan Dorset Safeguarding Children Partnership presented a report, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member and a copy of which appears as Appendix ‘A’ to these Minutes in the Minute Book.

The Pan-Dorset Safeguarding Children Partnership (PDSCP) was the statutory body which oversaw multi-agency safeguarding services which covered the local Dorset and BCP council areas.  The report contained a background and introduction to the functions of the partnership and the council’s responsibilities.

The annual report of the PDSCP was provided as an attachment for consideration by the Committee and Cabinet. The annual report included reflections on 2021/22; strategic priorities for 2022 to 2024; learning from practice; information from the Child Death Overview Panel; summary of multi-agency training; achievements from each of the statutory safeguarding partner organisations and sub-groups of the partnership.

The Committee discussed the Report and comments were made, including:

• A Committee Member highlighted the child exploitation aspects and the work that was ongoing with partners regarding county lines and the issues surrounding it
• In response to a query, the Committee was advised of the scrutineer addition to the partnership work, how it was being considered and established and it was highlighted that a scrutiny plan was being developed which would be published next year and could be shared with the Committee once complete. ACTION
• The Pan Dorset working was discussed and it was noted that there were challenges due to dealing with two very large authorities which were highlighted, but the Committee was reassured that in areas where Pan Dorset work was imperative such as for training and child death reviews it worked well
• The Director for Children’s Services (DCS) further detailed challenges as highlighted in the DfE Improvement Advisors Report, which was being considered later on the agenda, but stressed the concerted effort in building strengthened partnerships across Dorset and BCP, whilst ensuring it still meets the safeguarding responsibilities for the children and young people of BCP
• In response to a query, it was noted the partnership did not currently have links with local sports centres and voluntary organisations although the agencies which made up the partnership did
• In response to a query regarding funding for outreach youth workers, the Committee was advised that the funding used was a one off, but the DCS advised that sustainability would be considered in how to continue and fund any good work
• An MYP advised that they had reached out to young people at a recent forum regarding the Pan Dorset Safeguarding Partnership and they were not aware of it and the work it undertook.  The Independent Chair advised he would happily attend a forum to detail the work of the Board to spread awareness and understanding. ACTION

The Chair summarised the discussions as follows:

• exploitation and how this report fed into the working group
• addition of scrutiny and the plan
• issues and advantages of working Pan Dorset
• funding for outreach youth workers
• links with sports centres and voluntary services
• raise awareness of the work undertaken through the MYPs

RESOLVED that the Committee note the content of the PDSCP Annual Report 2021/2022.