DECISION

1. To note the content of the Safeguarding Children Board’s Annual Report and the appointment (3-year contract) of an Independent LSCB Chair by the Head of Paid Service.

Action by:

CORPORATE DIRECTOR, EDUCATION, SOCIAL CARE AND WELLBEING (R. McCULLOCH-GRAHAM)

Councillor Gulam Robbani, Cabinet Member for Education and Children’s Services introduced the report. He explained that the annual report of the independent board provided an update on the work of the board and especially looked to identify strengths and weaknesses, for example from serious case reviews. He also highlighted safeguarding training available to Members the following evening and hoped that as many as possible would attend.

Robert McCulloch-Graham, Corporate Director, Education, Social Care and Wellbeing, responded to the questions tabled by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee. In particular he highlighted that:

·         The serious case review mentioned had been published appropriately,  was well-known to relevant officers in other councils and had been shared with organisations involved so lessons could be learnt.

·         There were multiple issues in the child’s life but the foster care was good.

·         The Mayor, Lead Member and Councillors were informed in respect of their statutory duties.

·         The Corporate Parenting Steering Group was not an appropriate forum to discuss these matters but officers were working to set up a Member panel for this purpose.

·         As Corporate Director he would write to Members setting out the lessons learnt and actions taken.

The report was discussed and the implications considered. During discussion it was also requested that the Independent Chair of the Board attend a future meeting with Members to discuss the work of the Board. Members and officers also highlighted the importance of learning the lessons from the recent Rotherham abuse cases and that this was a priority for the Council.

The Mayor highlighted that these issues were taken extremely seriously by the Council and that protecting the most vulnerable was a priority for all. He emphasised that he would continue to take a proactive interest and he agreed the recommendation as set out in the report.

RESOLVED

1. To note the content of the Safeguarding Children Board’s Annual Report and the appointment (3-year contract) of an Independent LSCB Chair by the Head of Paid Service.