Issue - meetings

The report outlines the nature of safeguarding concerns and proposes an updated safeguarding policy and procedure which sets out how and when concerns can be escalated for both adult and children safeguarding concerns.

Following consideration, it was resolved unanimously that the Committee:

(1)      Agreed the adoption of an updated Safeguarding Policy and Procedure for Children and Adults as set out in Annex 1 to the report;

(2)      Agreed that minor updates to the Safeguarding Policy and Procedure are delegated to the Head of Housing and Community in consultation with the Director of Housing, Environment and Regeneration and the Chair of Strategy and Resources.

The Committee received a report outlining the nature of safeguarding concerns and proposing an updated safeguarding policy and procedure which sets out how and when concerns can be escalated for both adult and children safeguarding concerns.

The Committee received a verbal introduction from the Head of Housing and Environmental Services.

The following matters were raised by the Committee:

a)            Presentation to Committee: This item was presented to the Strategy and Resources Committee rather than the Environment and Safe Communities Committee due to its strategic nature.

b)            Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Checks: Following a question from a Member, the Committee was informed that the relevant legislative guidance did not identify local authority councillors as being a group who required DBS checks. Accordingly, the proposed Safeguarding Policy and Procedure did not require Councillors to have DBS checks. This was an approach shared by most District and Borough Councils.

Following consideration, it was resolved unanimously that the Committee:

(1)      Agreed the adoption of an updated Safeguarding Policy and Procedure for Children and Adults as set out in Annex 1 to the report;

(2)      Agreed that minor updates to the Safeguarding Policy and Procedure are delegated to the Head of Housing and Community in consultation with the Director of Housing, Environment and Regeneration and the Chair of Strategy and Resources.