Agenda item

Karen Fuller, Director of Adult Social Services, Dr Jayne Chidgey-Clark, Independent Chair of Oxfordshire Safeguarding Adults Board, and Steve Turner, Strategic Partnerships Manager – Adult Social Services, have been invited to present the Oxfordshire Adults Safeguarding Board Annual Report.

The Committee is asked to consider the report and raise any questions, and to AGREE any recommendations it wishes to make to Cabinet arising therefrom.

Dr Jayne Chidgey-Clark, Independent Chair of Oxfordshire Safeguarding Adults Board, Karen Fuller, Director of Adult Social Services, Victoria Baran, Deputy Director of Adult Social Care, Steven Turner, Strategic Partnerships Manager – Adult Social Services and Lorraine Henry, Head of Safeguarding MH DOLS, were invited to present the Oxfordshire Adults Safeguarding Board (OSAB) Annual Report and answer the Committee’s questions.

The Director of Adult Social Services introduced the annual safeguarding adults report by emphasising its significance as a system-wide document, highlighting the collaborative work across the health and care system in Oxfordshire regarding safeguarding, and noting that while the report was being presented to the committee, it reflected the efforts of multiple partners. She stressed the importance of oversight for safeguarding the county’s most vulnerable adults

The Independent Chair detailed the board’s four strategic aims: improving frontline practice across all sectors, enhancing preventative work to stop abuse before it occurs, assuring the quality of safeguarding through monitoring referrals and service improvements, and learning from both safeguarding adult reviews and audits to inform future practice, including sharing good practice across the county. She also described the board’s multi-agency composition, the alignment of subgroup work plans to strategic objectives, and the importance of robust governance and partnership working

The Committee raised the following questions and comments about the OSAB Annual Report:

·       Members sought clarification on the term "desired outcomes” in the safeguarding report, specifically questioning whether outcomes were assessed based on what individuals themselves requested or desired. The Deputy Director explained that safeguarding was tailored to the individual’s wishes, focusing on what outcomes they want to achieve, rather than imposing solutions. Early discussions were held with the person, or their deputy if needed, to guide the team’s work by these goals, often prioritising risk reduction while respecting personal choices. Officers added that desired outcomes were tracked through case file audits and ongoing collaboration with partners to ensure feedback genuinely reflected individuals’ experiences.

·       The definition of self-neglect within the safeguarding context, specifically asking whether it referred to individuals whose care needs were unmet due to physical incapacity or to those who, despite having the physical ability, were unwilling or unable to meet their own care needs, possibly due to mental health issues. It was clarified that self-neglect can result from multiple causes, but in safeguarding contexts, it generally refers to individuals who consistently decline assistance or intervention, sometimes without being aware of their own deterioration. If an individual was open to receiving care but had not been referred, the usual assessment process applied rather than initiating safeguarding procedures. Safeguarding measures were implemented when individuals continually refuse support, involving a multi-agency strategy to engage them and establish ongoing relationships aimed at meeting their needs.

·       The causes of high staff turnover in adult social care, whether the reasons were consistent with national trends or if there were specific factors unique to Oxfordshire, and how these were identified and addressed. The Director of Adult Social Services reported that staff turnover in Oxfordshire’s adult social care was consistent with the national average. Exit interviews indicated that many departures were due to retirement or personal circumstances, rather than job dissatisfaction. The challenges associated with safeguarding work were acknowledged, and staff wellbeing initiatives and supervision measures were described. Oxfordshire also supported workforce development through apprenticeships and a Social Care Academy, aiming to encourage career progression and belonging.

·       How lessons were learned across partnership work and the consistency of best practice, particularly in relation to supervision and support for frontline staff among different agencies. The Independent Chair, and Officers, explained that the local authority’s supervision model, which included both welfare and casework support, was shared with partner organisations during multi-agency workshops. These sessions enabled the exchange of approaches and highlighted the strengths of the local authority’s model. The sharing of best practice was actively encouraged, and external peer support was sought through regional and national safeguarding networks.

Officers described how the Multi-Agency Risk Management (MARM) process united professionals to support at-risk individuals before statutory intervention was needed. By sharing information and resources, they intervened earlier and more effectively, leading to better outcomes and coordinated support.

·       How Oxfordshire was adopting a Pan-London style multi-agency safeguarding policy and specifically how it would be adapted for the county’s rural areas. The Director of Adult Social Services and the Head of Safeguarding responded that, having seen the benefits of the Pan-London approach in other settings, they were working to amend its processes and principles to fit Oxfordshire’s context. They explained that the adaptation involved considering the county’s demographic and geographic differences, with particular attention to the challenges faced by rural communities, such as isolation and limited access to services.

·       The impact of the "right care, right person" policy on police willingness to conduct welfare checks was discussed. The Independent Chair noted that, although there had been national concerns and some coroners’ reports referencing changes in police practice and potential adverse outcomes, in Oxfordshire police responses to threats to life and limb were reported as consistent. The situation continued to be monitored, and officers remained attentive to emerging issues; however, at the time of the meeting, no specific local concerns had been identified.

Officers also explained that, when a referral did not meet the safeguarding threshold, feedback was provided to the referrer identifying the specific reasons for not proceeding. Patterns and themes observed in referrals were communicated to providers, occasionally through the board, to inform future referrals. This method aligned with regional practices, and information regarding safeguarding criteria was shared with providers and professionals to enhance understanding.  

·       How did the council supported individuals, particularly young people approaching adulthood, who became involved in dangerous situations such as county lines activity. The Director of Adult Social Services described collaboration with the youth justice team, police and other partners to support young people affected by county lines as they move into adult services. Multi-agency meetings were held to determine referrals, including to the national referral mechanism. While statutory adult care may not always be provided, wraparound support was ensured through partner organisations and national networks. County lines issues affected both young and older adults, including through exploitation like “cuckooing”. The council’s approach relied on collaboration between adult and children’s services, community safety partnerships and the police.

The Committee AGREED to the following actions:

·       The Independent Chair, and other Adult Social Services Officers, would report back to the Committee when an update on the Oxfordshire Safeguarding Adults Board Risk Register was ready.

·       The Director of Adult Social Services would provide an update on the Pan Oxfordshire multi-agency policy and procedures approach, with consideration for how it is adapted for rural areas

The Committee paused at this stage at 11:27 and resumed at 11:34