Agenda item - Brighton & Hove Safeguarding Adults Board Annual Report 2015/16

58.1    This item was introduced by Graham Bartlett. Mr Bartlett thanked Denise D’Souza for all her work as Chair of the Shadow Safeguarding Adults Board (SAB). This is the first report of the statutory SAB, and it is difficult to be certain of data so early in the Board’s existence. The past year has seen a focus on: plotting the role of the SAB; developing cross-cutting links with the Local Safeguarding Children Board and with other key bodies and partnerships; delivering an audit of domestic violence amongst older people; and undertaking a review of homeless mortality. The SAB has successfully recruited high calibre lay members.

58.2    Going forward, the SAB needs to develop stronger links with clients and carers. The SAB’s budget and capacity to deliver also needs to be developed, with a broader range of partners encouraged to contribute (not necessarily in financial terms). Mr Bartlett commended the work of the SAB Business Manager, Mia Brown, who has done remarkable work within very tight financial constraints.

58.3    The Chair thanked Mr Bartlett and his team for their exemplary work over the past 12 months, and suggested that the HWB might be interested in receiving future SAB reviews for information. Other Board members approved this idea.

58.4    Cllr Norman noted that the report provided valuable information for ward Councillors. It is important that Councillors are aware of vulnerable people in their wards so they can support them properly.

58.5    In response to a question from John Child, Mr Bartlett told members that the SAB was developing a data set to enable it to engage with Mental Health Act activity.

58.6    In response to a query on learning from serious incidents, Mr Bartlett told the Board that the SAB is committed to linking in to all serious incident reports.

58.7    RESOLVED: That the annual Safeguarding Adults Board report be noted.