Agenda item

Elizabeth Upcott attended the meeting to present the CYSUR/CWMPAS

combined Local Operational Group Safeguarding Report, Quarter 1, 2021/2022

outlining a summary of the key points as follows:

·       There has been a significant increase in the number of safeguarding reports in comparison with the previous quarter that led to Child Protection Strategy Discussions/Strategy Meetings, 99 in quarter 4 to 116 in quarter 1;

·       The total number of children placed on the Child Protection Register following Initial Conferences were 18 in this quarter, compared to 7 in the previous quarter.

·       Police were again the main referring agency in this quarter followed by Education and then Internal Social Services staff. This follows the same pattern in Quarter 4.

·       The main concerns that led to the completion of child protection enquiries were allegations of sexual abuse/exploitation (25) and physical abuse (24). This is comparable with Q4 where physical abuse (17) and sexual abuse (16) were the main categories of abuse reported.

·       The initial child protection conferences held during this quarter had doubled from the previous quarter. 94.4% of initial conferences were held within timescales.

·       There were a total number of 12 Review Child Protection Conferences held in this quarter. This related to a total of 24 children from 12 families. As an outcome of the review conferences, 7 children remained on the register with 17 children removed from the Child Protection Register. Of the number of children removed from the register, 16 children remained subject to a Child in Need Care and Support Plan.

·       In 95% of the conferences held, there was at least one family member, who holds Parental Responsibility present at the conference and in 90% of the conferences held, the children’s views were represented.

·       The main risk factors to children that were recorded were domestic abuse, parental non-cooperation with the Child Protection Plan, separation, and parental mental health difficulties.

·       The number of children on the Child Protection Register was consistent with the previous quarter; however 17 Children were deregistered with a further 18 Children being registered at the Initial Child Protection Conference.

      Following a question regarding Staff capacity, it was confirmed that there are currently Staff vacancies, however, all statutory work requirements are being fulfilled and Staff are continuing to work tirelessly in this Service.  Partnership Working is key, for example there are Police Liaison Officers dedicated to each School in Ceredigion who are regularly called upon for support.

      Concern were raised regarding the increase in Child Protection referrals and the Officer confirmed that even during the lockdown period Social Workers continued essential visits, to those families whereby children are on the Child Protection Register, whilst adhering to the Covid guidelines. A Member advised Committee Members that he is aware of Teachers who visited children’s family homes during lockdown to provide the child with homework as a means to monitor those children on the Child Protection Register.

      Councillor Alun Williams, Cabinet Member, reiterated that recruitment of Staff is an issue of concern and that Agency Staff are being employed to assist. He also stated that the number of high referrals is also a matter of concern.  The Cabinet Member stated that in his opinion the Social Services base budget is too low to fulfil statutory duties. He thanked Officers/Staff for their continued hard work. 

       Following discussion, Members agreed to note the contents of the report and the levels of activity with the Local Authority so that governance for the Local Authority activity and its partner agencies are monitored.

      It was noted that Safeguarding is identified as a current red risk on the Authority’s Risk Register.

      The Chairman thanked Elizabeth Upcott for presenting the information and asked that a message be relayed to Staff thanking them for their continuous efforts.