Issue - meetings

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

That the Pan-Dorset Safeguarding Children Partnership PDSP Annual Report, be approved.

The Portfolio Holder for Children, Education, Skills, and Early Help set out the Pan-Dorset Safeguarding Children’s Partnership annual report.

Members discussed their concerns around recent events in the national news where newborn babies had been left abandoned, and if there was effective systems and processes in place locally to avoid the risk of such events occurring in Dorset.  In response, the Executive Director for People – Children advised that Dorset would not expect to have too many issues where good social, health and midwifery care was in place. 

However, it is possible to have concealed pregnancies anywhere, so it was important that communities work together to support all families in their area.

Decision

That the Pan-Dorset Safeguarding Children Partnership PDSP Annual Report, be approved.

Reason for the decision

The production of an annual report is a statutory responsibility. This has been endorsed by the four statutory partners (Dorset Council, BCP Council, NHS Dorset, Dorset Police) and is being shared with cabinet as part of those governance arrangements.