Agenda item

The Board received a report from the Community Scrutiny and Policy Development Panel, setting out its findings and recommendations following a review of Safeguarding Children, Young Children and Vulnerable Adults Policy.

Members of the Scrutiny Panel presented and answered questions in connection with their report to the Board. Councillor Weeks was also invited to join the meeting during consideration of this report.

The Board held a detailed discussion on issues raised by Councillor Bains, which were circulated prior to the meeting and on the feasibility of undertaking DBS checks for all Councillors. Notes of the Police and Crime Panel held on 22 and 29 January 2016 were also circulated at the meeting.

In response to questions raised by members of the Board, the Board was advised that:

(a)             It was understood that the Disclosure and Barring Service advised against Councils requiring all its councillors to undertake a DBS check: checks should only be undertaken for councillors who had a role relating to vulnerable persons

(b)             Central Government was offering each District Council £10,000 per annum to fund the PREVENT Agenda. It was proposed that the District Councils in Hampshire poll this funding so the Council could benefit from economies of scale. It was not known how much funding unitary authorities would receive;

(c)             The training packages for Safeguarding training was being reviewed;

(d)             The letting policies included leases; and

(e)             Community First provided training for voluntary groups

The Board considered that in addition to the recommendations contained in the report:

(a)             the Council’s letting policies should be amended to include the statutory responsibilities introduced by the Prevent Agenda;

(b)             the Council’s policies be amended to include the statutory responsibilities relating to missing, exploited and trafficked children;

(c)             the Council amend the training for taxi and private hire drivers/operators to include Child Exploitation awareness; and

(d)             the feasibility of undertaking DBS checks for all councillors be investigated

It was therefore RESOLVED that:

A.              the Safeguarding Children, Young People and Vulnerable Adults Policy be amended to reflect the requirements of the Modern Slavery Act 2015.

B.              the Safeguarding Children, Young People and Vulnerable Adults Policy be amended to reflect the impact of the Prevent Agenda.

C.              all councillors shall undertake the e-learning “Basic Safeguarding Awareness “ Course to ensure that all councillors are aware of their role in this area.

D.              a councillor training session be arranged to ensure that all councillors are aware of the safeguarding policy and their role in this area.

E.              the Council’s policies be amended to include the statutory responsibilities relating to missing, exploited and trafficked children

F            the Council’s letting policies be amended to include the statutory responsibility introduced by the PREVENT Agenda.

G           the on line safeguarding report form be made more accessible to staff and councillors

H           the Council consider amending the training for taxi and private hire drivers to include Child Sexual Exploitation awareness

I             the feasibility of all councillors undertaking a DBS check be investigated

J            a progress report be submitted to the Board within six months.