The updated appendix was noted.

DECISION

1.    To note the work that has been carried out by the Tower Hamlets Safeguarding Children Partnership over the year 2020-21 and the outcomes that members would like to see from the THSCP over the next year

2.    To note the specific equalities considerations as set out in Paragraph 4.1 of the report.

Action by:

CORPORATE DIRECTOR, CHILDREN AND CULTURE (J. THOMAS)

(Tower Hamlets Safeguarding Children Partnership Strategy Manager (L. Griffiths)

The Mayor introduced the annual report of the Tower Hamlets Safeguarding Children’s Partnership. He invited representatives from the CCG and Police to speak as well as Keith Makin the independent scrutineer.

James Thomas, Corporate Director, Children and Culture, provided an initial introduction to the report and the work of the Partnership. He drew the meeting’s attention to the headline figures including around children in care and case numbers generally and how valuable early intervention and support with families was in keeping numbers down. The report also showed how the voice of young people was being significantly strengthened and three young scrutineers were soon to be recruited to work with Keith Makin.

The meeting then heard from Keith Makin, Marcus Barnett (Police) and Chetan Vyas (CCG). They highlighted key points from the report including reports on past cases, the more systematic approach to embedding learning, implementing lessons from child safety reviews, the passion and determination being shown by the partnership and finally the priorities for the coming years such as on domestic abuse and exploitation.

The partnership felt that there was already good progress being shown against priorities for the next year and these would be reported to Cabinet in the next Annual Report.

Keith Makin as the Independent Scrutineer reported that the borough was very well placed compared to many other boroughs and had shown good progress over recent months even despite the impact of the Covid pandemic.

The Mayor welcomed the presentation and the report. He highlighted that the work of all partners, in particular schools, were also really important in supporting the Partnership and he thanked them for their work.

He proposed the recommendations as set out in the report and those Members present agreed the recommendations and it was:

RESOLVED

1.    To note the work that has been carried out by the Tower Hamlets Safeguarding Children Partnership over the year 2020-21 and the outcomes that members would like to see from the THSCP over the next year

2.    To note the specific equalities considerations as set out in Paragraph 4.1 of the report.