Agenda item

Briefing Note and Report of the Coventry Safeguarding Children Partnership  

The Scrutiny Board considered a briefing note and Annual Report of the Coventry Safeguarding Children Partnership (CSCP) 2020-2021.  The Board welcomed the Independent Chair of the Partnership, Mr Benson and the Partnership Business Manager, Rebekah Eaves.

The briefing note recognised that Working Together 2018 stated ‘In order to bring transparency for children, families and all practitioners about the activity undertaken, the safeguarding partners must publish a report at least once in every 12-month period.  The report must set out what they have done as a result of the arrangements, including information on child safeguarding practice reviews, and how effective these arrangements have been in practice.

Mr Benson noted in the report that it had been a unique year, with the challenges of the pandemic adding to what was already a very demanding safeguarding agenda.  Partner agencies had seen an increase in need for their services and in many cases, there had also been heightened levels of complexity. The Safeguarding Partners; Police, Health and the Local Authority had worked well, liaising with other agencies to respond quickly and effectively to an evolving situation. He had witnessed timely information sharing, co-ordinated responses and decisive leadership.  The report provided updates on the work of the CSCP, progress against priorities and areas where more work was needed. It also highlighted where learning had been identi?ed and implemented and whether that emerged from the audit programme or from reviews.  He recognised that 2021/22 would continue to present challenges as the effects of the pandemic were still relevant, but the partnership in Coventry would work effectively together to help safeguard and protect the children and young people of the city.

The report detailed:

•  Local context

•  About Coventry Safeguarding Children’s Partnership

•  Progress against priorities

•  Child Exploitation Indicator tool

•  Neglect conference

•  Local Authority Designated Of?cer

•  Signs of Safety

•  Right help right time

•  Quality Assurance

•  Learning from Reviews

•  Training

•  Safeguarding Together Action Group

•  Voice of the child

The Board questioned those present, received responses, and discussed the following:

•  The next Safeguarding Children’s Partnership Annual Report 2021-2022

•  The benefits of a glossary in future reports

•  The Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub function review and partners systems sharing information

•  Strengthening safeguarding and increasing awareness across the community including training Taxi Drivers, Hotel Staff and Housing Providers operating in the City

•  The Child Exploitation Project Manager infographics in relation to Cuckooing

•  Praise for all those who continued the commitment to improve during challenging times

The Board also recorded thanks and best wishes to Paul Smith the Strategic Lead for Looked After Children on hearing about his retirement.

RESOLVED that the Scrutiny Board:

1)  note the content of the report and thank the officers and the Safeguarding Partnership Chair

2)  request that   a.   a glossary be added to the 2021-22 report

and this be circulated to members

b.   that the officers and relevant elected Members promote the priority Coventry give to essential safeguarding training regarding criminal and sexual exploitation for taxi drivers to neighbouring authorities.