Agenda item

To receive the Dorset Safeguarding Adults Board Annual Report 2018/19, to be presented by the Independent Chair of the Board.

The Independent Chair of the Dorset Safeguarding Adults Board, Barrie Crook, attended the meeting to present the Board’s annual report, which provided an overview of how the Dorset Safeguarding Adults Board had carried out its duties during 2018/19 to prevent the abuse and neglect of adults with care and support needs.  Mr Crook noted that it was important for the scrutiny committee to consider the report as Dorset Council provided the strategic lead to the Board with three statutory duties – to provide an annual strategic plan, an annual report and to commission safeguarding adult reviews.  The Dorset Safeguarding Adults Board worked closely with the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Board although it was noted that these arrangements were currently under review.

The committee was provided with an overview of the role and work of the Board and information on its four strategic aims, examples of work undertaken, an independent audit that had been undertaken and significant changes in practice that had occurred as a result of this and links to the Safeguarding Children’s Board.  Current issues for the Board included a focus on continuing work on domestic abuse, county lines and exploitation and neglect.  Key issues for Dorset included the resilience and viability of the board and funding levels, as it was noted that the Safeguarding Children’s Board received a higher level of funding.

Members considered the issues arising from the report and during discussion the following points were raised:

·                Reference was made to a particular incident and it was noted that as a result of the case, a shared learning group had been established in order to provide a link and shared learning between Adults and Children’s Services

·                In response to a point raised, the importance of councillors receiving feedback on any referrals made (where confidentiality allowed) was acknowledged, in order to confirm if it was an appropriate referral and/or whether any further action was required

·                In respect of ensuring that information reached ‘hard to reach’ and the most vulnerable people, the Board’s Business Manager provided an overview of events attended by the team and the availability of posters and leaflets online that could be used by councillors in order to disseminate information

·                A representative of the voluntary sector now sat on the Board which provided contact with other voluntary organisations

·                Liaison was also undertaken with housing associations

·                A discussion was held with regard to the ‘Safeguarding Activity and Performance Information 2018/19’ contained within the report and the role and responsibility of organisations to ensure that a person’s stay in residential provision was safe.  Reference was made to the role of the family in these circumstances and the role of the council in holding partners to account to ensure that care homes were safe places.  The role of the Care Quality Commission (CQC) was also noted

·                Reference was made to the ‘source of risk’

·                In response to a question, the Chairman of the Safeguarding Adults Board reported that the CQC had been invited to a meeting of the Board in June where they had been challenged on data provided.  The Board maintained a dialogue with the CQC although it was recognised that the CQC had overall responsibility for ensuring standards of care in private organisations.  The Chairman of the Board confirmed that he would give further consideration  to the role that the Board could have in conjunction with the CQC and in providing information to relatives, and provide further information to committee members following the meeting

·                A suggestion was made that the Board liaise with Councillor Molly Rennie with her interest in Domestic Violence and Abuse issues

·                A report following the review of the Dorset Safeguarding Adults Board arrangements would be presented to the Board towards the end of the year.  The Chairman asked that a copy of the report be provided to members of the People Scrutiny Committee at the appropriate time in order to provide committee members with the opportunity to make comments as relevant.