Agenda item

A report from the Executive Director of Health, Housing and Adult Social Care is attached. (Non key)

(Report No.62)

(8.20 – 8.25 pm)

Councillor Doug Taylor (Leader of the Council) introduced the report of the Executive Director of Health, Housing and Adult Social Care (No.62) presenting the Safeguarding Adults Board Annual Report 2016-17.

Councillor Doug Taylor welcomed Christabel Shawcross, Independent Chair of the Enfield Safeguarding Adults Board, to the meeting and invited her to present the Annual report to the Cabinet. Members received a comprehensive and informative presentation on the Annual Report and the work of the Board including the following points:

·       Christabel Shawcross had been appointed as the Independent Chair of the Board in December 2016 and paid tribute to the previous Chair Marian Harrington.

·       2016/17 had been a key year for consolidation after the introduction of the Care Act with new powers and responsibilities.

·       The role and scale of Adult Safeguarding in Enfield was highlighted, as outlined in section 2 of the Annual report.

·       The Safeguarding Adults Board (SAB) had a clear strategy and an annual plan to monitor and develop. The significance of partnership working was highlighted. There were new requirements to address on Tackling Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking, Domestic Abuse and Hoarding.

·       The focus must be on victims of abuse and prevention measures to keep vulnerable adults safe. The statutory duties with regard to serious adults reviews were noted. It as important to learn lessons when things did go wrong and to prevent future incidents.

·       Making Safeguarding Personal was a fundamental principle of the Act, working alongside those who were abused, and Enfield had been an exemplar in this project with case audits showing quality of social work practice.

·       A summary of the scale of safeguarding issues in Enfield was outlined: 1,144 concerns had been raised with 771 meeting safeguarding criteria and 549 cases concluded. 60% had related to over 65 year olds and 23% were in residential care.

·       Enfield had the second highest number of residential care homes in London and registered home care providers. There were high numbers of older people and multi-ethnic communities in the population. There were also high numbers of deprivation of liberty orders.

·       The Board had a key partnership role with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) and the health service in driving up standards of care.

·       Members’ attention was drawn to the Care Quality Commission Adult Social Care Ratings for Enfield as set out in the annual report. The most vulnerable adults were those living at home on their own.

·       The importance of working in partnership with the Clinical Commissioning Group, Police, Health and other partners was noted. Such partnership working enabled information to be shared, provide challenge and review performance.

·       The role of the Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) was outlined, as detailed in the annual report.

·       Work was undertaken with other neighbouring Local Authorities and Safeguarding Boards across North Central London to share learning and experience.

·       There was a key focus on prevention measures. A safeguarding film had been produced for training and communication.

·       Members’ attention was drawn to the summary of Safeguarding Adult Reviews set out in section 9 of the annual report.

·       Chapters 11 and 12 of the annual report set out what the Board would do next year and the action plan for 2017/18. The key priorities highlighted were: Empowerment; Protection; Prevention; Partnership; Accountability; and, Proportionality. Christabel Shawcross explained how the Board would seek to achieve these.

·       The Board’s engagement with the Cabinet Member was being strengthened through the Board and regular feedback on local issues.

·       The Board recognised the changes that were being faced by key agencies in moving forward.

Councillor Taylor thanked Christabel Shawcross for her informative introduction to the work of the Board. Following the presentation, comments and questions were invited from Cabinet Members.

NOTED

1.               Councillor Alev Cazimoglu expressed her thanks and appreciation to Christabel Shawcross and all those involved in the work of Safeguarding Adults in Enfield. Councillor Cazimoglu would be attending future meetings of the Board.

2.               Councillor Savva highlighted the importance of prompt action when concerns were raised on behalf of a vulnerable adult. In response, Bindi Nagra (Director of Adult Social Care) advised that such instances needed to be reported to the Council’s Safeguarding Team and the MASH (multi-agency safeguarding hub) for action.

3.               Councillor Taylor questioned whether an increase in reported cases of abuse was viewed positively or negatively in the Board’s opinion. It was noted that where the number of cases increased, it was possible to identify any trends in the referrals and take mitigating action to address concerns. Thorough investigations were carried out and effective action taken.

4.               That raising awareness was a continued theme of the Board and a film had been commissioned on signs of abuse and making safeguarding personal, targeted awareness in response to data and created a factsheet on how technology could be used to help keep people safe. Councillor Brett questioned whether the film could be shown in GP surgeries’ waiting rooms and if a presentation could be made to the voluntary sector. It was noted that the Health and Wellbeing Board in its recent consideration of this report, had already agreed to facilitate the showing of the film in GP surgeries. Christabel Shawcross confirmed that the Board and relevant officers would support such presentations to the voluntary sector. The sector was represented on the Board’s membership.

5.               In response to a question raised, it was noted that support was offered for identified language needs.

6.               Councillor Fonyonga commended the report and highlighted the valuable work undertaken by the MASH. It was important for referrals to be made appropriately so that the necessary action could be taken by all of the relevant agencies.

7.               Councillor Anderson highlighted the Care Quality Commission (CQC) Adult Social Care ratings for Enfield and noted with concern the percentage of care rated as requiring improvement or inadequate. Councillor Anderson questioned how the Board was working to address these concerns. Christabel Shawcross drew Members’ attention to section 7 of the annual report regarding “Working with Care and Support Providers”. It was noted that Enfield compared favourably with other London Boroughs. The work and composition of the Safeguarding Information Panel was outlined, as set out in the annual report. The Panel met every six weeks and implemented a range of actions to meet identified need.

8.               In response to questions raised, officers outlined the range of measures that could be put in place to address identified need for improvement in care provision including effective monitoring and commissioning approaches. A discussion took place on the roles and statutory rights of the various partner agencies in respect of private care providers and the actions that could be taken when improvement was required. The responsibilities with regard to safeguarding adults in the Borough were clear.

9.               Councillor Orhan also highlighted the statutory responsibilities with regard to safeguarding children and the support services that were provided. The work being done with the Carers Centre, including engaging with young carers was noted.

10.           Bindi Nagra outlined the role of the Police and the Crown Prosecution Service in safeguarding matters. The existing challenges were noted.

11.           Councillor Lemonides highlighted the risk profile in this area of work and noted the difficulty in identifying safeguarding issues with regard to domiciliary care. Officers outlined the measures that were taken to raise awareness and identify instances of abuse. Bindi Nagra acknowledged the difficulties that existed and emphasised the importance of raising awareness and providing easy access to support services. A discussion took place with regard to the provision of CCTV in people’s own homes, there were a number of legal restrictions and this was an area that would require further exploration of potential future opportunities.

In conclusion, Councillor Taylor thanked Christabel Shawcross for her attendance and comprehensive presentation to the Cabinet.

Alternative Options Considered: The Care Act places a duty on Safeguarding Adults Board to publish an annual report, as detailed in section 4 of the report. The statutory requirement for an annual report negates any alternative options.

RECOMMENDED TO COUNCIL to note, for information only, the progress being made in protecting vulnerable adults in the Borough as set out in the annual report of the Safeguarding Adults Board.

Reason: The report was being presented to Members 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)