Issue - meetings

To receive an update on children’s safeguarding in Hampshire.

The Committee received the annual safeguarding report for Children’s Services from the Director of Children’s Services (Item 8 in the Minute Book).

Members were taken through the report and attention was drawn to key issues such as the outcomes of Ofsted inspections of Hampshire Children’s Services as detailed in Section 3 of the report.  Section 4 of the report highlighted child exploitation which was also an area of national concern, and ‘County Lines’ remained an area of emerging concern for Hampshire’s Children’s Services and other agencies concerned with children.  The work of the Willow team was explained which was a multi agency team consisting of specialist social workers and health professionals, working with Hampshire constabulary to protect the highest risk children.  It was noted that there had been an increase in exploitation of children to become involved in the dealing of class A substances, and work was continuing to work with children involved to recognise the situation as exploitation.

Section 4 of the report also highlighted work with unaccompanied asylum seeking children (UASC), and it was heard that the port of Portsmouth was a main point of entry for these children with a knock on effect as children seek asylum in Hampshire.  The report detailed the number of UASC looked after by Hampshire and also highlighted proposed new local safeguarding arrangements between partners as set out in paragraph 4.14 of the report, and it was heard that work was being undertaken to develop new arrangements in Hampshire.

Members noted the figures relating to contacts, referrals and safeguarding activity as set out in the table in paragraph 5.2 of the report, and it was noted that there had been an increase in the number of contacts in 2017/18.  It was heard that the majority of referrals were predominantly from the police and education service.  In relation to Section 47 investigations going to ICPC, it was explained that this had remained at around 45% over the last five years, and this was seen to reinforce that thresholds were being consistently applied.

Officers highlighted Child Protection Plans and Members were taken through the figures relating to these in paragraph 5.7 of the report, and attention was drawn to the percentage rise in the number of children subject to a plan for neglect.    It was also heard that the rise in the number of new UASC has attributed to the overall rise in children becoming looked after by Hampshire.  The costs of placements was also rising, with national demand outstripping supply and causing increasing pressures on budgets.

Section 6 of the report highlighted a key issue of recruitment and retention of social workers.  Where there were issues with recruitment, it was heard that suitably qualified agency workers were needed to fill these posts.  Members heard that the establishment of an agency by the County Council in partnership with Kent County Council, would look to source and supply social workers, with a view to these becoming permanent employees over time.  The social work graduate entry  ...  view the full minutes text for item 80

To consider a report of the Director of Children’s Services giving an update on the department’s activity on safeguarding children.

Cabinet received the annual safeguarding report of the Director of Children’s Services.

The report was introduced and it was highlighted that the demand for safeguarding was increasing as part of a national trend and the response in Hampshire to this had been robust and timely. It was explained that the increases were as a result of higher numbers of initial contacts and raised awareness of potential issues. It was confirmed that the threshold for intervention had not changed.

With the agreement of the Chairman, Councillor Jackie Porter addressed Cabinet. Councillor Porter expressed her congratulations on the consistently high level of regard for children’s safeguarding in the County Council. She raised the issue of the closure of an app run by the police to allow people to report concerns and also felt improvements could be made to the accessibility of contact information on the County Council’s mobile website. Councillor Porter also asked that consideration be given to supporting pre-schools in being able to report concerns about children.

Councillor Porter was thanked for her comments. It was confirmed that there were known issues with the website that were being addressed and that her concerns about the closure of the app would be fed back to colleagues in the Police.

Cabinet noted the increasing number of unaccompanied asylum seekers within the care system in Hampshire and it was confirmed that these were a combination of children entering the County directly and those moved into Hampshire as part of a national distribution scheme.

With regard to the report, the concept of neglect was discussed. It was explained that amongst care professionals there was a growing awareness of the impact of a neglectful environment and of the forms of neglect.

The recommendations in the report were considered and agreed. The decision record is attached.