To note, consider and comment on Herefordshire Safeguarding Children Board’s assessment of safeguarding in Herefordshire, and its own effectiveness to enable it to undertake its governance role with regard to the Board. 

Members were apprised of the Herefordshire Safeguarding Children Board (HSCB) business plan and annual report, which included its assessment of safeguarding in Herefordshire and the Board’s own effectiveness to undertake a governance role.  The report provided assurance that the Board was meeting its statutory functions, and set out the agreed priorities and action for the year.  In particular, the report highlighted the four strategic priorities for the next three years, and the specific actions for 2014-14 within them, namely:

• Improving the experience of children, young people and families when they are supported in safeguarding systems;
• Improving multi-agency casework.  This was now governed by new business processes, and a new quality assurance framework which would lead to improvements in practices;
• Tackling evidenced safeguarding issues in Herefordshire (for example, domestic abuse, sexual exploitation and trafficking).  It was reported that a specific strategy had recently been launched in relation to sexual exploitation and trafficking, and that it had drawn positive comments from the Department for Education;
• Improving the functioning of Herefordshire’s Safeguarding Boards. 

Members noted that significant progress had been made towards achieving the Board’s strategic priorities over recent months, and this would need to be sustained over time in order to improve safeguarding standards and the Council’s overall rating for safeguarding. 

RESOLVED:            that

(a)     the views on the effectiveness of safeguarding arrangements in Herefordshire as assessed by HSCB, be noted;

(b)     the priorities of HSCB in relation to specific safeguarding issues in Herefordshire be acknowledged;

(c)     Consideration be given to how Herefordshire Council is contributing to service improvement through commissioning within Herefordshire with regard to these safeguarding issues; and

(d)     Comments be made as appropriate to HSCB about its future work programme.