For the Health and Wellbeing Board to receive the Annual Report of the HSAB.

Kevin Crompton, Independent Chair of the Herefordshire Safeguarding Adults Board (HSAB), introduced the annual report of the HSAB and commented on the following:

i.             The HSAB had been working productively and collaboratively to understand the impact of its work and to be a learning partnership.

ii.            Work was ongoing to build on the multi-agency approach to the safeguarding front door and on transitions for those moving from child to adult services.

iii.          It was noted that comparisons with different authority areas were difficult but the fact that 91.3% of service users felt that the services provided made them feel safe and secure was considered a good indicator of positive outcomes.

iv.          A decrease in the number of safeguarding concerns over the reporting period by 34% was attributed to a change in the referral process; all referrals were being triaged prior to being sent to the safeguarding team.

v.           The staffing capacity of partners remained a challenge, particularly given volatility in referral numbers; for example, there had been five referrals for Safeguarding Adults Reviews in 2023/24 and ten to date in 2024/25.

vi.          It was considered that the Community Wellbeing Directorate had good infrastructure to support vulnerable people, with specific references made to Talk Community and to rough sleeper initiatives.

The Vice-Chairperson said that the report demonstrated that good partnership working that was being undertaken and thanked the Independent Chair for their contribution.  The Chairperson welcomed the increase in the percentage of service users that felt safe and noted the need to keep the momentum going.

Resolved:  That the board has considered the HSAB Annual Report 2023/24 and discussed the effectiveness of the arrangements for safeguarding adults in Herefordshire.