Present:
Georgina Atkinson (Democratic Services, WCC)
Maria Barnes (Service Manager Children’s Social Care, WCC
Amanda Blakeman (Warwickshire Police)
Jenny Butlin-Moran (Service Manager Children’s Social Care, WCC)
Jackie Channell (Coventry and Rugby CCG)
Martin Cowan (Stratford-upon- Avon District Council)
Craig Dicken (Nuneaton & Bedworth Borough Council)
Hugh Disley (Head of Early Intervention, WCC)
Keith Drinkwater (Lay Member)
Victoria Gould (WCC Legal Services)
Chris Hallett (Independent Chair)
Cornelia Heaney (WSCB Development Manager)
Helen Hipkiss (NHS England)
Sue Ingram (Domestic Abuse Manager, WCC)
Nigel Jones (Warwickshire Police)
Diana King (Service Manager, WCC)
Richard Long (Warwickshire Police)
Jameel Malik (Warwick District Council)
Antony Mumford (Blue Sky Centre, SARC)
Angela O’Boyle (Lay Member)
Adrian Over Education Safeguarding Manager, WCC)
Simon Powell (North Warwickshire Borough Council)
Phil Sawbridge (Head of Safeguarding, WCC)
Steve Shanahan (Rugby Borough Council)
Dr Peter Sidebotham (Arden Cluster PCT)
Mark Simmonds (Inter-Agency Training Officer, WSCB)
Calvin Smith (Safeguarding Manager, WCC)
Lesley Tregear (Warwickshire Youth Justice Service)
Andy Wade (Warwickshire Probation Trust)
1. / Apologies and Welcome / ACTIONApologies for absence were received fromWendy Fabbro, Steve Stewart, Jenny Wood, Jacqui Barns and Councillor Heather Timms.
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18. / Chair’s Announcements
It was reported that the statutory Director of Children’s Services, Wendy Fabbro (Strategic Director, People Group) was currently on long-term sickness absence due to a paragliding accident. In light of this, the Chief Executive was considering temporary cover arrangements and Phil Sawbridge had agreed to continue his employment at the County Council until the end of the August. The Board wished Wendy Fabbro a speedy recovery.
The Chair reported that asthere had been a recent child death in Warwickshire with a suspicion of neglect, a Series Case Review had been instigated. This would be carried out by the Sub-Committee and subsequently reported back to the Board.
Minutes of the Meeting held on 6th February 2013
The Minutes were agreed as a true record, subject to the following amendment:
Matters Arising – Escalation Policy
That the term ‘Policy’ be amended to ‘Process’.
Matters arising
WSCB Safeguarding Children with Disabilities Position Statement and Quality Standards
Jenny Butlin-Moran reported that the Quality Standards would be shared with the Special Schools Forum (a sub-group of the Education sub-committee) for their comments, and that the Position Statement was scheduled in the Work Plan of the Performance and Monitoring sub-committee for consideration. A report would be provided to the Board in the near future.
Link between WSCB and the Health and Wellbeing Board
The Chair advised that the proposed workshop with the Health and Well-Being Board had been deferred during the County Council elections. In Wendy Fabbro’s absence, the workshop would be progressed with the assistance of Phil Sawbridge and an update would be provided at the next meeting of the Board.
Paediatric Arrangements for SARC
Antony Mumford addressed the Board with an overview of the Sexual Assault Referral Centre – Blue Sky Centre – which had been commissioned by the GeorgeEliotHospital. The purpose-built centre was funded through the partnership of Warwickshire Police, Warwickshire County Council, Coventry City Council and the Arden Cluster.
The Board was provided with an overview of the co-ordinated services and support that was provided to victims of rape and serious sexual abuse of any age and gender. The children’s area of the centre was sub-divided into young children and adolescents.
A forensic paediatrician was currently available at the centre on Tuesdays, Thursday and Sundays. Antony Mumford explained that ideally a 24/7 provision should be provided; however, this would be difficult to achieve and alternative arrangements, such as a non-forensic paediatrician supported by a medical examiner, may be a more sustainable long-term arrangement.
The provision of a forensic paediatrician was a concern to members of the Board and it was agreed that the issues raised be referred to the SARC Performance Board.
It was agreed that the Board note the report and request a future update.
Agency Updates
Warwickshire Probation Trust
Andy Wade advised that following the announcement of the reorganisation of Probation Trust, it had been confirmed that 75 per cent of the Trust services would be outsourced to either private or voluntary organisations, with the remaining 25 per cent – which primarily focused on public protection – to continue within the Trust.
There would be 21 contract areas for outsourcing, with one national Probation Trust. All services would need to be commissioned by 2015.
The Probation Trust would retain responsibility for high risk cases, including those subject to MAPPA and MARAC processes, but many cases involving child protection issues will not fall in these categories, and therefore will be managed within the 21 contracts.
Warwickshire County Council
Phil Sawbridge advised the Board that following the County Council elections on 2nd May, the Conservatives had lost overall control of the Council. There was likely to be significant changes ahead and a challenging time for the administration.
South Warwickshire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG)
Jackie Channell reported that Dr Mara Venkataraman would be replaced by Dr Sebastian Yen at GEH. The Board noted the positive work achieved by Dr Venkataraman during her time at the hospital.
With regard to the Paediatric Assessment Unit, the Board was advised that the four-hour target to discharge patients would be a challenge in the case of Child Protection issues, which can take over four hours to deal with; therefore, a different protocol for those instances may be required.
Public Law Outline and Child Protection
Victoria Gould reported that the Public Law Outline would reduce the statutory Child Protection court proceedings timescale from 53 weeks to 26 weeks. This would be enacted from 1st April 2014.
WYJS ‘Who’s Looking After the Children?’ – Progress of Improvement Plan
The Board was provided with an update on Warwickshire’s progress against the 12 recommendations of the HMIC report. Lesley Tregear reported that with the exception of the change to police literature and communications, all recommendations had been achieved. The Board requested a target date for completion, and also feedback on the response from West Midlands police in response to questions addressed to them about the restraint of a 12 year old child from Warwickshire in their custody.
Following a recent judicial review, Warwickshire and West Mercia Police are seeking to implement the provision of appropriate adults to 17 year olds as far as is practical in advance of legislation.
It was agreed that the Board:
a)Note the Improvement Plan and progress made against it in ensuring effective safeguarding of children and young people whilst in police custody; and
b)Note the increased use of PACE transfers to reduce detention in police custody.
DCS Test of Assurance
The Chair explained that the purpose of the report was to test the capacity of the appointed Director of Children’s Services to undertake the statutory duties.
The Board agreed that in the absence of Wendy Fabbro, the report be deferred until her return to the County Council.
Child Sexual Exploitation Strategy
The Board was advised that the Strategy outlined preventative proposals for the identification and protection of children and young people at risk of sexual exploitation and those already being sexually exploited.
A discussion took place regarding online exploitation of children and it was noted that the risks factors were currently being identified by Warwickshire Police.
Members of the Board were advised to read the Children’s Commissioner report regarding child exploitation in gangs and groups, which highlighted the significance of the issue. In addition, a BBC documentary regarding West Mercia’s Operation Chalice would be televised on 23rd May 2013.
A discussion took place regarding the appointment of a Child Exploitation Sub-Committee to take forward the actions included in the Strategy. Membership of the Sub-Committee would be identified at the next meeting of the Chairs Group.
It was agreed that the Board:
a)Section 6 of the Child Sexual Exploitation Strategy include a link to MARAC;
b)Approve adoption of the Child Sexual Exploitation Strategy document; and
c)Appoint a Child Sexual Exploitation Sub-Committee to take forward those actions proposed within the Strategy.
Child Sexual Exploitation Procedure
Cornelia Heaney explained that the Procedure and Toolkit contained a significant amount of supporting guidance in order to achieve a consistently proactive and preventative approach. She advised that the document included an assessment tool, which would determine the level of risk to the child.
It was reported that all medium and high-level risk cases would be referred to Children’s Social Care for further assessment and a multi-agency meeting. Low-level risks would be managed with the assistance of a CAF, and the provision of information and advice to all young people in universal settings.
The Board was reminded that a recent change to the definition of Domestic Abuse meant that it now included the coercive control of 16 and 17-year-olds; therefore, a young person may now be considered under both CSE and Domestic Abuse. In light of this, it was essential that multi-agency efforts were co-ordinated in order to avoid duplication. It was also important that a young person was not overlooked, due to differing CSE and Domestic Abuse procedures.
The Board agreed to:
a)Approve the Child Sexual Exploitation Procedure and Toolkit; and
b)Review the effectiveness of the Procedure in 12 months.
MASH – Developing a WSCB Position
It was advised that a key area of Ofsted inspections was the current position on MASH and whether there was a will to develop one. The Chairs Group had considered this at a recent meeting and identified a need to undertake a joint workshop with the Warwickshire Safeguarding Adults Board to ascertain the most appropriate position for Warwickshire.
The Board agreed:
a)To the arrangement of a joint workshop with the Warwickshire Safeguarding Adults Board; and
b)That a key feature of the workshop include evidence-testing for the development of MASH.
‘Prevent’ Strategy
Hugh Disley provided the Board with an annual update on the Prevent Action Plan and four key areas of progress. In addition to the report, Hugh Disley advised that ten PCSOs had been appointed to schools to support the Preventing Violent Extremism in Schools initiative.
The Board agreed:
a)To monitor the Children and Young People aspects of the Prevent Action Plan; and
b)To receive an annual update of the activity on the Children and Young People aspect of the Channel Panel.
New Statutory Guidance on Child Protection
The Board was provided with an overview of the key changes introduced by the new statutory guidance, “Working Together to Safeguard Children: A guide to inter-agency working to safeguard and promote the welfare of children” 2013. Jenny Butlin-Moran explained that the guidance had been broadly divided into four key headings: assessments, inter-agency working, local Safeguarding Children Boards, and Serious Case Reviews.
It was reported that an Action Plan had been developed to take forward the key requirements in the document. Helen Hipkiss added that NHS England (as the statutory Commissioning Board) also had a number of key responsibilities, together with the CCGs, that would link into the Action Plan.
A discussion took place regarding information sharing, and it was agreed that this be included in the Action Plan.
The Board agreed:
a)To note the implications to the Board and its constituent agencies;
b)To approve the Action Plan and to receive regular updates on actions; and
c)That the Chairs Group be requested to allocate appropriate completion timescales to the Action Plan.
Dartington Child Protection Project
Jenny Butlin-Moran reported that the County Council was currently working with the Dartington Social Research Unit to explore methods to reduce the number of children needing to become ‘looked after’. A series of three multi-agency workshops had been scheduled for June to consider how Child Protection processes and early intervention methods are currently being used to reduce the number of Looked After Children.
Ofsted Thematic Inspection ‘What about the Children?’ – Actions for LSCBs
It was reported that the Ofsted thematic inspection of nine local authorities had concluded that adult and children’s services did work effectively together and 17 improvement recommendations had been submitted for action.
The Board agreed:
a)To note the report and recommendations; and
b)To endorse the appointment of a project group to oversee the implementation of the recommendations, as outlined in the report, and that the project group report back to the Board as required.
Workplans of WSCB Sub- Committees
The Board noted an update from the following Sub-Committees:
District Council
Craig Dickens advised that as the meeting of the Sub-Committee was next week.
Schools, Learning and Education
The Sub-Committee was currently considering the ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education’ consultation which was due by the end of June 2013.
Health
Jackie Channell explained that due to the extent of its Work Plan, the Sub-Committee would consider either moving to monthly meetings or the appointment of small Working Groups to undertake some areas of work.
Systems, Procedures and Guidelines
In light of new ‘Working Together 2013’ requirements, the procedure document would be updated and published to the web site by the end of May. This would also be circulated for comment electronically.
Special Cases
The Sub-Committee continued update the procedures, in light of the ‘Working Together 2013’ guidance. The Sub-Committee would also be undertaking the Serious Case Review.
Strategy, Communication and Information
The escalation process was due to be circulated shortly using the email circulation list assembled by the sub-committee. The Board was also provided with an update on the ‘Safe Places’ initiative in which businesses would advertise themselves as safe places for vulnerable people.
Training
Mark Simmonds advised that there had been a lack of attendance at the long standing training sessions. A telephone and/or email questionnaire would be submitted to both managers and staff to identify reasons for low attendance. However, the overall provision of training was more frequent than previously as some new, and well attended, programmes were being offered to both the children’s and adults’ workforce.
The Escalation Process had been added to the Work Plan and would also be provided to attendees at training courses.
Performance, Monitoring and Evaluation
It was reported that Ofsted had announced a single combined framework for MARAC services, which would be submitted for consultation in June 2013.
Any Other Business
The following areas wasraised:
a)The Warwickshire Corporate Parenting Charity had now been formally established.
Date and Times of Future Meetings
The Board noted the date of future meetings, as follows:
- Wednesday 25th September 2013, Conference Room, Northgate House Conference Centre
- Wednesday 4th December 2013, Conference Room1/2, SaltisfordBuilding 1
The meeting closed at 4.15 p.m. / Chris Hallett
Jenny Butlin-Moran
Phil Sawbridge/Chris Hallett
Antony Mumford
Lesley Tregear
Chris Hallett
Cornelia Heaney
Chris Hallett
Hugh Disley
Cornelia Heaney /
Chris Hallett
Jenny Butlin-Moran
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