Agenda item - Local safeguarding Children Board Annual Report 2015/16

57.1    This item was introduced by Graham Bartlett, Chair of the Local Safeguarding Children Board (LSCB). Mr Bartlett highlighted some of the positive findings of the recent Ofsted inspection, which rated the LSCB as ‘good’, placing it in the top 30% of boards nationally. These include: the LSCB taking an active role in service design and planning; robust arrangements for disseminating the learning from Serious Case Reviews; and good relationships with key partners (including the Health & Wellbeing Board).

57.2    Challenges identified by Ofsted include: supporting young people who have been ‘missing’; ensuring the effectiveness of early help services; and further developing relations with the Corporate Parenting Board. Partners have been active in all these areas in the past year.

57.3    In the past 12 months, achievements include: improving processes in a number of areas; the opening of a Paediatric Sexual Assault Referral Centre; the launch of a Child Sexual Abuse resource pack; developing more child-centred Child Sexual Exploitation services; and successfully delivering the “Chelsea’s Choice” drama on CSE to Year 10 students across the city.

57.4    Pinaki Ghoshal added that the LSCB provides an important space for mutual challenge and also for reflection and learning from both good and not so good practice. He was happy to endorse the annual report.

57.5    Coouncillor Brown expressed her thanks to all involved in safeguarding services. In response to a question from Cllr Brown on learning from the recent Serious Case Review, Mr Bartlett told members that the review had found fault with the processes of services in another area rather than those in Brighton & Hove. Nonetheless, city services have taken the review findings on board. Mr Bartlett also assured Cllr Brown that there are robust arrangements in place to oversee grants for young people leaving care.

57.6    In response to a question from Councillor Page on the LSCB’s role in early help, Mr Bartlett told members that national guidance is clear that safeguarding boards have responsibility for a range of services including early help.

57.7    Councillor Penn congratulated the safeguarding team on their positive Ofsted assessment and on the annual report. She also proposed that the annual report be referred to Children, Young People & Skills Committee for information. The Chair added her thanks to all involved in safeguarding.

56.8    RESOLVED – that the 2015/16 annual report of the Local Safeguarding Children Board be noted and referred for information to Children, Young People & Skills Committee.