Agenda item

A report from the Director of Health, Housing and Adult Social Care is attached. This presents the Enfield Safeguarding Adults Board Annual Report 2014-15. (Non key)

Members are asked to note that the Chair of the Enfield Safeguarding Adults Board has been invited to attend the meeting in order to present the annual report.

(Report No.78)

(8.20 – 8.25 pm)

Councillor Alev Cazimoglu (Cabinet Member for Health and Social Care) introduced the report of the Director of Health, Housing and Adult Social Care (No.78) presenting the Enfield Safeguarding Adults Board Annual Report 2014-15.

NOTED

1.               That the annual report highlighted the accomplishments of a partnership working together with local people, service users and carers to prevent and respond robustly to the abuse of adults at risk, as detailed in full in the report.

2.               That Marian Harrington, Chair of the Enfield Safeguarding Adults Board, had been invited to attend the meeting in order to present the annual report to the Cabinet. Marian Harrington highlighted for Members’ consideration areas within the Annual report where the Board had done well; areas which had required improvement; and, the focus areas for the coming year. As set out below:

·       The involvement of people who use the adults safeguarding services and have been involved in the safeguarding process had been strengthened. Lessons had been learnt from experiences and, information effectively fed back to staff to inform future practice.

·       One of the biggest shifts during the year had been in embedding “Making Safeguarding Personal”, as detailed in the annual report. Enfield had been assessed as operating at the “gold” standard for this work.

·       The Board was reliant on the commitment and involvement of all of its partners.

·       Preparations were on-going for the implementation of the Care Act 2014 with partners and staff members. Appropriate training had been undertaken.

·       The work undertaken in setting up a multi-agency safeguarding hub was outlined; this involved a range of professionals who received concerns and alerts related to adults at risk, as set out in the annual report.

·       Key people representing the Police and Clinical Commissioning Group had left the Board during 2014/15 and there had been a delay in appointing their replacements. However, two new appointments had now been made who were again fully committed to the work of the Board and, the effective involvement of their respective agencies.

·       The need to seek financial contributions from partner agencies was highlighted; the majority of funding required was currently met by the Council.

·       There had been an increase in the number of referrals following the introduction of the Mental Capacity Act.

·       The main focus for the coming year was to continue to develop an effective prevention strategy; fully embed the implementation of the Care Act 2014; and, continue to work closely with the Community Safety Team on issues including domestic violence, hate crime and female genital mutilation. The continued need for effective partnership working was highlighted.

3.               In response to the presentation of the annual report, Members were invited to comment, and the following issues were highlighted. Councillor Taylor expressed his concerns over the potential detrimental effects that could be experienced if the anticipated cuts to the metropolitan police service were implemented, particularly for adults who were deemed to be at a low level of vulnerability. The effects of any cuts to the partner agencies would need to be carefully monitored. 

4.               Councillor Savva sought assurances over the effective application of and adequate training for the safeguarding policies of voluntary organisations. Marian Harrington outlined the information sessions which had been held with voluntary groups and the support provided through the work of the Board.

Members thanked Marian Harrington for her presentation and recognised the valuable work of the Adults Safeguarding Board.

Alternative Options Considered: The Care Act placed a duty on Safeguarding Adults Boards to publish an annual report, as detailed in section 4 of the report.

DECISION: The Cabinet agreed to note the progress being made in protecting vulnerable adults in the Borough as set out in the annual report of the Safeguarding Adults Board.

RECOMMENDED TO COUNCIL to receive the Safeguarding Adults Board Annual Report 2014/15 for information and to note the progress being made.

Reason: To bring to attention the progress which had been made to support and enable adults at risk to be safe from harm, abuse and neglect.

(Non key)