Issue - meetings

Cabinet Member: Children & Family Services

Forward Plan Ref: 2018/073

Contact: Tan Lea, Strategic Safeguarding Partnerships Manager Tel: 07867 923287

Report by Director for Children’s Services (CA7).

Local Safeguarding Children Boards were set up under the Children Act 2004 to co-operate with each other in order to safeguard children and promote their welfare.  The  Oxfordshire Board is led by an independent chair and includes representation from all six local authorities in Oxfordshire, as well as the National Probation service, the Community Rehabilitation Company, Police, Oxfordshire Clinical Commissioning Group, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Trust, Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, schools and Further Education colleges, the military, the voluntary sector and lay members.

The report highlights findings from the Board's annual report on the effectiveness of local arrangements to safeguard and promote the welfare of children in Oxfordshire. Also included are annual reports on serious case reviews and quality assurance

The OSCB annual report will also be considered by the Performance Scrutiny Committee and the Health and Wellbeing Board.

Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to note these annual reports and provide any comments.

Recommendation agreed.

Local Safeguarding Children Boards were set up under the Children Act 2004 to co-operate with each other to safeguard children and promote their welfare.  The Oxfordshire Board is led by an independent chair and includes representation from all six local authorities in Oxfordshire, as well as the National Probation service, the Community Rehabilitation Company, Police, Oxfordshire Clinical Commissioning Group, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Trust, Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, schools and Further Education colleges, the military, the voluntary sector and lay members.

Cabinet had before them three reports highlighting findings from the Board's annual reports on the effectiveness of local arrangements to safeguard and promote the welfare of children in Oxfordshire, on serious case reviews and quality assurance

The OSCB annual report was also considered by the Performance Scrutiny Committee and the Health and Wellbeing Board.

Councillor Brighouse, Chairman of Performance Scrutiny Committee, commented that the Committee had been impressed by the work and commitment shown but had recognised several issues needing to be dealt with. These included, academisation, increased levels of exclusions and the use of part time timetables and home schooling. These issues could all add to children becoming more vulnerable. She noted that Lucy Butler was working with the schools and head teachers, but the Committee had felt that the governing bodies needed to have a greater understanding of the issues and implications for safeguarding. She referred to the work the Committee was doing on young carers and added that the Committee was assured that there was ongoing work around the Corporate Parent Panel. Councillor Brighouse also highlighted waiting times for CAMHS and cyber bullying.

Richard Simpson, OSCB independent chair introduced the OSCB annual report, welcoming the opportunity to speak to Cabinet. He outlined the strengths and achievements over the last year and areas for development. He also noted the future direction for OSCB that included the independent Chair being appointed by Oxfordshire Clinical Commissioning Group and the Police Commissioner rather than the county council. As an incoming Chairman he wanted to strengthen the involvement of children in the work of the Board and to continue the joint working with the Oxfordshire Safeguarding Adults Board (OSAB).

During discussion Cabinet welcomed that the OSCB recognised that there was no complacency with the current situation and confirmed the importance to the county council of the two safeguarding boards working together. The diagram on page 73 should be amended in future reports to include that link. Responding to comments Richard Simpson advised that the length and format of future reports was being looked at.

Officers presented the contents of the reports on serious case reviews and quality assurance.

RESOLVED:             to note these annual reports and provide any comments