Agenda item

The STSCP Partnership Manager will be in attendance to present the STSCP Annual Report 2022/2023.

The STSCP Partnership Manager was in attendance to provide Members with an overview of the local partnership arrangements for safeguarding children, the work undertaken by the STSCP and to highlight areas of significance within the 2022/2023 Annual Report.

 

Members were informed that the STSCP was established in 2019 in response to changes to the multi-agency safeguarding arrangements introduced in the Children and Social Work Act 2017.  It succeeded the Middlesbrough Local Safeguarding Children Board and the Redcar and Cleveland Safeguarding Children Board (LSCBs). The STSCP was a formal partnership between the two South Tees Local Authorities of Middlesbrough and Redcar and Cleveland, Cleveland Police and North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board.  The partners had a shared ambition to improve the lives of the most vulnerable children in their area, many of whom faced multiple disadvantage; the STSCP oversaw some of the most deprived areas in the country. 

 

The Annual Report covered the year 2022/2023 and was published by the four statutory partners.  The report summarised and reflected on the work of the STSCP, covering the third full financial year of operation. 

 

The contents of the report included:

 

• The scrutineer’s view of the last year.
• Evidence of the impact on 2020-2023 priorities.
• Local context.
• Local safeguarding.
• How the STSCP impacted its priorities.
• Partnership working.
• Learning and development.
• Quality assurance and performance.
• Key priority themes.
• Response to the national agenda.

 

The report highlighted the effective joint working that had continued and been further strengthened, and set out critical areas of development to further improve the effectiveness of the statutory partnership arrangements.  These included the need for a robust multi-agency quality assurance framework and using the learning from serious safeguarding incidents and auditing to make a difference to practice and service provision.

 

Members heard that, during this period, the STSCP had completed three rapid reviews, initiated two Child Safeguarding Practice Reviews (CSPR) - previously known as Serious Case Reviews - and signed off a further CSPR from early 2022.  It was explained that reviews were undertaken and sent to a Government Safeguarding Panel for review.  This was a key role for the STSCP, which at one stage had ten serious incidents to review, currently it had none; high risk was managed by agencies.  The Partnership also completed several multi-agency audits, including the Section 11 audit of key partners.

 

Reference was made to the significant challenge that the STSCP faced in the wake of COVID-19, which required new ways of working.  It was explained that all activity continued virtually – the Partnership Manager credited the Local Authorities’ approach to technology, which had allowed safeguarding work to continue.  Emergence from the pandemic had presented both significant challenge and change, for example: behavioural changes in young people, some as young as ten, were being seen – with some carrying weapons.  Members heard that there was work to do in terms of addressing crime, county lines and national agendas to tackle exploitation.

 

The panel was informed of the cross-boundary work that was taking place between Middlesbrough and other areas in the Tees Valley, which was part of an overarching strategic approach.  It was explained that young people did not adhere to specific boundaries and would commit crime in other areas.  Middlesbrough was central to Tees and had a transient population; mention was made of the port in Redcar and Cleveland.  It was noted that some very serious matters involving young people were taking place.

 

The STSCP operated a Tees-wide panel that focused on unexpected infant mortality.  It was noted that there was a link to neglect and poverty in this regard; reference was made to a poverty agenda that was beginning to make inroads.  Members were informed that a recently completed review focused on the death of a child from a Czech family, which involved neglect; the impact of transience was also noted.

 

Members were advised that the stability of the STSCP had made a difference in delivering key strategic priorities, which focused on:

 

• Exploitation.
• Neglect.
• The voice of the child/young person.
• Working together.

 

The panel heard that the internet was a key driver within people.  Mention was made of the various devices available to young people that could potentially expose them to risk, including smartphones, mobile phones, computers, laptops, and tablets.  Young people were resourceful and could access equipment relatively easily.

 

In terms of case studies and reporting findings in the annual report, it was explained to Members that although the report included cases studies and statistical data, no personal case details were published.  An independent scrutineer oversaw the work of the STSCP.

 

A discussion ensued and the following issues were raised by Members:

 

A Member requested clarification on the activities that were delivered by the STSCP.  In response, it was explained that public bodies delivered statutory duties around safeguarding, but this did not always occur.  It was therefore important that learning was achieved and partners given feedback, which would subsequently be tested to ensure effectiveness.  Reference was made to a previous CSPR review and a publicity campaign that followed from it.  In addition to this work, the STSCP delivered training and eLearning events to various stakeholders.  It was noted that resources were minimal in relation to the work required; an independent person to undertake reviews needed to be commissioned.  The partnership was able to bring stakeholders together and discuss priorities, of which exploitation and neglect were key.

 

In response to a query regarding partners, Members were advised that all the necessary partners were involved, i.e., Local Authority, Police and Health.  It was indicated that meetings with the CEOs from the two Local Authorities and the Health Trust were held twice annually.

 

In response to a query regarding the STSCP and statutory duties, reference was made to the Children Act and sections 17 and 47 of legislation, which compelled partners to work together to protect children.  A ‘Working Together’ document, which was last updated in 2018, was currently being worked on for 2023 publication.

 

A Member queried performance measurement and the ways in which this was achieved.  In response, it was explained that having fewer reviews to undertake was a positive indicator.  In addition, external validation by OFSTED, which looked at the partnership, together with scrutiny by an independent scrutineer, was also carried out.  It was about challenging one another and learning from individual cases.

 

A Member referred to the child death that had occurred after the Czech family had moved to Middlesbrough, and queried record transfer/management.  In response, it was explained that information did not always follow individuals and therefore missed opportunities could and did occur.  It was explained that, in this particular case, house moves were later discovered through health records.  The advantage of having partners around the table and carrying out a shared approach was highlighted.  It was noted that there were often several issues taking place and cases could be exceptionally complex.

 

The Chair thanked the officer for his attendance and contribution to the meeting.

 

NOTED