The report of the Strategic Director, Health and Wellbeing  (Document “H”) provides details of Bradford Council’s Health and Wellbeing Department’s safeguarding activities.

The views of Members are requested and it is:-

Recommended –

That the report be noted.

(Andrea Richards – 01274 436519)

The report of the Strategic Director, Health and Wellbeing (Document “H”) provided details of Bradford Council’s Health and Wellbeing Department’s safeguarding activities.

It was explained that following discussions at the meeting on 16 November 2017 regarding the Adult Safeguarding Annual Report Members had requested that the refreshed Safeguarding Adults Board Strategic Plan be presented in conjunction with a report on the implementation of a Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) to a future meeting.  Document “H” included the response to that request and endeavoured to summarise the most recent actions undertaken in a period of transition.

The background to the report explained that the Care Act 2014 set out a clear legal framework for how local authorities and other parts of the system should support and protect adults at risk of abuse or neglect and summarised a number of safeguarding duties arising from that Act which were being undertaken in the district. 

The report revealed that Safeguarding Adults Concerns (SAC) data for the period 17/18 has demonstrated a significant increase on the numbers of safeguarding concerns received with an increase of 57 % from 3064 in 16/17 to 4815 in 17/18. Previously only 20% of concerns indicated further enquiries were undertaken, in comparison to regional variations of between 37% and 100%. This had increased in Bradford in the period 17/18 to a conversion of 61%. The statistics suggested that more enquiries were being made in response to concerns raised about Adults at Risk (AAR) in Bradford.

The increase, both on amount of concerns raised and the increased enquiries undertaken, had significant resource implications to meet the increased demand. A business case was being completed to consider the necessary resources for the future sustainability of the safeguarding service in Bradford.

Members were reminded that the Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) had been established in October 2017 and the rationale, composition and functions of the MASH were reported.  It was explained that a recent review of the MASH had been undertaken by both Adult Social Care and the Police and the findings of that evaluation were reported.

The report explained that the Safeguarding Adults Board (SAB) had a statutory responsibility to complete a Strategic Plan.  The SAB was in the process of collating its three year Strategic Plan which was a culmination of information, discussions and deliberations obtained by engaging with people, professionals and community groups in Bradford.  It was reported that a new chair of the SAB had recently been appointed and had recommended that further priorities may need to be included in the Plan.

Following a detailed presentation the improvements made to safeguarding adults at risk were acknowledged and welcomed.

In relation to concerns raised about funding issues assurances were provided that the work being undertaken by the ‘Voice’, a user sub group of the Safeguarding Adults Board, would continue to be supported.  It was explained that the involvement of adults at risk was fundamental to receiving feedback and an understanding of safeguarding by users of that service.

Members questioned if the rise in Safeguarding Adults Concerns was as a result of increased concerns or through people becoming more able to report their issues.  In response it was explained that the service had actively campaigned to promote safeguarding and had worked with professionals to increase their awareness of the issue and methods of reporting.  Work undertaken with the police and partners had also resulted in increased awareness and information sharing although it was not possible to identify, at the current time, if the level of incidents reported was because of increased awareness or a rise in the number of incidents occurring.

Members questioned if the increased volume of work would result in cases being delayed or not being addressed.  In response it was explained that a business plan to fully staff the department to safe levels was currently being proposed and that would incur an additional cost of £906k. That proposal would be the subject of a report which would be presented to the Executive in the very near future.

A Member welcomed the work undertaken to ‘Make Safeguarding Personal’ and suggested that sufficient whistle blowing procedures should be in place for victims who were not able to ask for help. The requirement for systems to be amalgamated to encourage a culture of increased reporting and to meet increasing demand was discussed.

A Member raised concerns that Universal Credit was distributed to the eldest person in a household and discussed the problems which could occur if the payment was in the wrong people’s hands.  The issue was acknowledged and assurances were provided that the service had liaised with the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) and a representative of the DWP was to become a Member of the Safeguarding Adults Board (SAB).  Assurances had also been provided from the DWP that safeguarding measures had been implemented and people were offered a safe place to talk about their concerns.

Resolved –

(1)  That the progress made and the appointment of a DWP representative on to the Adult Safeguarding Board be welcomed.

(2)  A progress report be presented in 12 months time.

ACTION: Strategic Director, Health and Wellbeing