Agenda item

It is a statutory requirement for the Dorset Safeguarding Adults Board (SAB) to publish an Annual Report each year and to present that report to the Council’s Health & Wellbeing Board.  Many Councils also request that the report is presented to Scrutiny as the report enables a discussion on the work of the Safeguarding Adults Board

The Independent Chair, Dorset and Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole Safeguarding Adults Boards presented the Boards Annual Report (2021/22), 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. 

It was a statutory requirement for the Dorset & BCP Safeguarding Adults Boards (SABs) to publish an Annual Report each year and to present that report to the Council’s Health & Wellbeing Board.  Many Councils also requested that the report was presented to Scrutiny as the report enabled a discussion on the work of the Safeguarding Adults Board.

The report was for the year April 2021 to March 2022 and represented a full year under the governance of the current Chair – the report was agreed at the September meeting of the Safeguarding Adults Boards (SABs). 

During this year the Board had agreed to join together with the Dorset Safeguarding Adults Board for meetings and subgroups.  This had enabled a more efficient governance structure as many of the statutory and other partners cover both local authority areas.  However, each Board was still separately constituted and in September 2021, it was agreed that Board meetings would have a single agenda and joined reports; though retaining the ability for place-based separate meetings, should the need arise.

This year it was agreed to publish one Annual Report for both Dorset and BCP SABs. Throughout this year the SAB had delivered against all its priorities which were set out in the annual strategy and work plan; this Annual Report summarised what the Board had achieved.

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

• In response to a query regarding violence against woman and girls, the Vice Chair highlighted that BCP Council was shortly going to debate whether it should become ‘White Ribbon accredited’, which the Chair of the SAB praised as a positive step to raising awareness of domestic abuse across BCP.
• In response to a query regarding financial implications and the proposal for equitable contribution from both Councils, the Committee was provided of the historic stance when both boards were separate, information regarding BCP hosting the joint business team, and an increase in contribution from Dorset Council to match BCP’s contribution together with possible increased contributions from statutory partners.
• In a response to the Dorset Safeguarding Adult Review (SAR) detailed and the coercive and controlling behaviour which occurred, a Committee Member advised of the need to raise awareness in the older community and the Committee was informed it was being highlighted and promoted in the safeguarding partnerships.
• The Committee was advised of the meaning of Section 42.1 in the Care Act and how it was the process for referring concerns about safeguarding (neglect, abuse and harm) against adults with care and support needs.  The process it instigated was detailed.
• The Director - Commissioning for People advised that a training session on safeguarding could be arranged if the Committee were interested, however it was highlighted that Member training had recently been provided which had received reasonable attendance.
• In response to a query regarding transitional safeguarding work, the Committee was advised of the focused work between Children’s and Adults social care.  The remit of the Chair of the Board was highlighted as a leadership role and it was noted that transitional safeguarding was a key strategy of the Board, about which the Board seeks assurance.
• In response to a query about liaising with multi-faith leaders, the Committee was advised that work had commenced with the local Christian based charities and further work reaching out to smaller faith communities was currently being mapped out.  A Committee Member advised of a contact who could be instrumental in helping bring faith communities together which could be passed to the Chair to make contact. ACTION.
• It was confirmed that Adult Safeguarding commenced at age 18 and the age brackets where data was collected were 18-64 (classed as working age) and 65 and over.  It was noted that most referrals were for those aged 65 and over. 
• In response to connections with the Police, the Committee was advised that Adult Social Care was the lead and that the Police were a statutory partner.  There was an increase in referrals for Adult Safeguarding Reviews and the Police co-chaired the Boards’ Safeguarding Adult Review sub group.  It was highlighted there were very clear processes in place regarding information sharing and working together.
• In response to a query regarding neglect, the Committee was advised that self-neglect made up a higher percentage of the data which was detailed within the Annual Report.  The different types of neglect were discussed and the follow up work which would be undertaken was detailed including investigating and addressing the cause and ensuring an appropriate level of support continued.
• An outreach team was highlighted which was doing excellent work in reaching out to vulnerable individuals and their work was explained to the Committee.
• In response to a query from the Chair regarding dementia and any safeguarding concerns, the Committee was advised that it was an issue across all areas of safeguarding and the need to ensure appropriate support and advice was provided.  The responsibility of the Board was detailed within this area which included seeking assurance about preventative support.

RESOLVED that the Committee note the report which detailed how the SAB had carried out its responsibilities to prevent abuse and neglect of adults with care and support needs during 2021-2022.

The Chairman advised that Agenda Item 10 Portfolio Holder Update would be considered next by the Committee.