The report of the Strategic Director of Children’s Services (Document “AI”)provides a summary of the Annual Report of the Safeguarding Children Board to accompany the full report which is provided as an appendix. The report provides a summary of priorities and achievements of the Board in 2016/17, as well as the annual summary of the Child Death Overview Panel. 

Recommended –

The Committee is asked to consider the annual report of the Bradford Safeguarding Children Board, and comment as appropriate.

(Mark Griffin – 01274 434361)

The report of the Strategic Director of Children’s Services (Document “AI”)provided a summary of the Annual Report of the Safeguarding Children Board to accompany the full report which was provided as an appendix. The report provided a summary of priorities and achievements of the Board in 2016/17, as well as the annual summary of the Child Death Overview Panel. 

The Independent Chair and members of the Safeguarding Children Board  attended the meeting and the Chair introduced the report. 

The Chair of the Committee noted that after 2018 the Safeguarding Children Board would no longer be statutory and asked who it would report to.  In response the Health and Wellbeing Portfolio Holder noted that both the Children’s and Adult Safeguarding Boards reported to the Health and Wellbeing Board at present and that it was envisaged that this would continue.

The Chair of the Child Death Overview Panel summarised the Panel’s Annual report and noted that infant and child mortality in the district had reduced but remained above national and local rates.  She confirmed that there was a specific strategy regarding consanguinity and that a significant amount of work had been undertaken regarding reducing risks.  A leaflet had been produced for families, a short video had also been produced which was aimed at communities at risk, community development work was undertaken and individual genetic counselling was undertaken.   The Health and Wellbeing Portfolio Holder referred to the 10 years of evidence produced by Born in Bradford and suggested that Professor Wright, Chief Investigator, Born in Bradford be invited to the Committee.

In response to a question about measures taken regarding child protection and safeguarding a transient population it was noted that steps were taken to ensure that pregnant women were seen before 13 weeks of pregnancy and that hard to reach and vulnerable women were identified.  The Health and Wellbeing Portfolio Holder who chaired the Children’s Trust  had held workshops involving all services to identify challenges and good practice.

In response to a member question whether the “Hamza Khan” case could happen again it was noted that a whole system review was undertaken following the case and that lessons had been learned but that we should never be complacent.

A co-opted member welcomed the liaison between the Adult and Children’s Safeguarding Boards.  She noted the increased number of deaths and suicides among undergraduates and welcomed an opportunity to engage with local universities on the issue.

The Health and Wellbeing Portfolio Holder noted that the suicide prevention plan included a section on students.  She also noted the work being undertaken on building resilience in pupils moving from primary to secondary school.

The Chair of the Child Death Overview Panel advised that an audit was undertaken of child and adult suicides and that there was no indication that Bradford was an outlier for suicides.  It was noted that there was a detailed suicide plan in place which was being implemented.

The Health and Wellbeing Portfolio Holder noted that the Health and Wellbeing Board was looking into deaths of people with learning disabilities.

Resolved –

That officers be thanked for the report and further annual reports of the Safeguarding Children Board be considered by the Committee.

ACTION: Strategic Director of Children’s Services