Issue - meetings

Report of the Chief Executive

The Cabinet considered a report of the Chief Executive, which set out the proposed transfer from the current Safeguarding Children Bard to a new Safeguarding Children’s Partnership and related changes within the wider safeguarding arrangements across children and adult services in respect of the Independent Chair role.

The report indicated that there had been legislative changes within the Children and Social Work Act 2017 and updated guidance in Working Together 2018, which impacted directly on Local Safeguarding Children’s Boards as well as outlining a proposal to ensure compliance with the changes locally.  There is no corresponding change for adults safeguarding at this time although the Cabinet noted that the Care Act 2014 placed Adult Safeguarding Boards on a statutory footing for the first time, thus giving an equivalent obligation to that which exists for children.  The Coventry Safeguarding Adults Board has been in existence since before the Care Act recognising the City’s approach to adopting best practice for adult safeguarding arrangements.

The report also presented a revised assurance document which outlined recommendations to satisfy the Council that local arrangements continue to be effective in discharging the duties of the key statutory roles of Director of Children’s Services, Director of Adult Services and Director of Public Health. 

RESOLVED that the Cabinet:

1.  Approve the proposal for the creation of the Safeguarding Children’s Partnership.

2.  Approve the continuation of the separate existing Adult Safeguarding Board arrangements noting that opportunities for learning and consistency between boards is achieved through the single Safeguarding Board Chair.

3.  Note the outcome of the Local Assurance review of the roles of the Director of Children’s Services and Director of Adult Services and support the recommendation that the changes in appointments are implemented.