Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the Portfolio Holder for Children, Education, Skills and Early Help.

Decision

That the overall Annual report of the pan-Dorset Safeguarding Children Partnership be received and noted.

Reason for the decision: The report was a statutory responsibility to produce hence the endorsement of all 4 statutory partners was needed – Dorset Council, BCP Council, Dorset CCG and Dorset Constabulary

The Portfolio Holder for Children, Education, Skills and Early Help presented the Annual pan-Dorset Safeguarding report. He highlighted areas that required work: -

·       There had been an increase in the number of sudden unexpected deaths, where co-sleeping was a feature. Partners were publishing messaging regarding the dangers of this with an aim to reduce the numbers.

·       There had also been an increase in occurrence across the pan-Dorset area of suicide risk and death because of suicide.

·       Progress had been made in the Strengthening Service Boards.

·       Covid-19 pandemic had and continued to impact the areas of Safeguarding and he

·       Acknowledged the impact and rise of domestic abuse during the pandemic.

·       Cllr Rennie, councillor champion for domestic abuse promoted the recently established “tool kit”

The Portfolio Holder took the opportunity to thank Anthony Douglas, the Independent Chair and Scrutineer of the pan-Dorset Safeguarding Children Partnership. Anthony Douglas addressed the committee and highlighted the importance of multi-agency working and the focus on place-based safeguarding.

Members welcomed and spoke in support of the annual pan-Dorset Safeguarding report.

Noted

That the overall Annual report of the pan-Dorset Safeguarding Children Partnership be received and noted.

Reason for the decision: The report was a statutory responsibility to produce hence the endorsement of all 4 statutory partners was needed – Dorset Council, BCP Council, Dorset CCG and Dorset Constabulary