Agenda item

To consider a report by the POVA Co-ordinator (copy attached) to provide Members with an overview of the impact of Local Safeguarding arrangements and practice and to review progress in this key area of work over the last twelve months.

10.20 a.m. – 10.50 a.m.

The Head of Community Support Services introduced the Protection of Vulnerable Adults (POVA) Co-ordinator’s Annual Report on Safeguarding Adults in Denbighshire for 2016-17 (previously circulated). 

He explained that the presentation of the report to the Committee, which gave an overview of the impact of local safeguarding arrangements, fulfilled the Service’s statutory requirements to report performance in this extremely important, sensitive and high risk area to members.  The report detailed the number of adult protection activities in Denbighshire which, similar to other local authority areas, was increasing year on year.  In addition it detailed the county’s performance in meeting the national performance indicator and developments during the year to the Safeguarding Team, which had strengthened considerably.  It also gave an update on the position regarding Deprivation of Liberty (DoLS) applications during the year. 

During his introduction the Head of Service advised that all local authorities across Wales had received a letter from the Care and Social Services Inspectorate Wales (CSSIW) regarding the Inspectorate’s concerns in relation to adult safeguarding work.  A meeting with CSSIW’s Chief Inspector and DCC’s Chief Executive to discuss local issues was scheduled to be held in the near future. 

Members were advised that of the total number of POVA referrals received during the year, in excess 75% of them had not met the Adult Protection Threshold to merit further investigation.  The quality of referrals and the threshold set were regularly quality assured to make sure that they were fair and equitable to all parties.  Hospitals were also involved with this work.

In response to members’ questions the Head of Service:

·       confirmed that the continual increase in the number of Adult Protection referrals and DoLS applications placed pressure on the Service and made meeting target dates extremely difficult.  The ultimate aim upon receipt of any referral was to ensure the vulnerable person’s safety, meeting targets was secondary;

·       if at any time he was concerned about the Service’s capacity to safeguard vulnerable individuals he would flag the risk up to the Corporate Executive Team (CET) to seek financial/resource assistance;

·       advised that whilst statistics showed  over 50% of the alleged abuse had been perpetrated by a ‘paid employee’ and had taken place in a ‘care home’ setting’, it was important to remember that these were ‘allegations’.   This was a national trend in relation to POVA statistics.  It was also important to bear in mind that workers in care home settings were delivering very intense personal care and could, therefore, be more susceptible to allegations being made against them.  The number of allegations proven following an investigation was far lower;

·       described the escalation process followed upon receipt of an allegation, emphasising that the capacity of the Council’s contract monitoring team had been strengthened during the year to support the investigation process;

·       confirmed that all adult safeguarding referrals were required to be acknowledged and  enquiries made within 7 days of receipt.  Nevertheless, if the allegation was of a serious nature, which put an individual’s safety at risk, it would be dealt with urgently on the day of receipt;

·       confirmed that safeguarding training was mandatory to all staff who undertook paid employment as in the care sector;

·       agreed with members that recent awareness raising in respect of adult protection matters had probably contributed towards the increase in the number of referrals.  However, this was not viewed as a negative consequence if it meant that all vulnerable people were kept safe; and

·       advised that the Service had sufficient resources this year to meet POVA duties and DoLS demands.  A presentation would be given to all elected members during the autumn on the Social Services budget, its financial requirements to meet the Council’s statutory duties, along with known and anticipated pressures for the future. 

Following a detailed discussion the Committee:

RESOLVED subject to the above observations to –

(i)              receive the report on the Council’s performance in Safeguarding Adults in Denbighshire between 1 April 2016 and 31 March 2017; and

(ii)             acknowledge the important nature of a corporate approach to the safeguarding of adults at risk and the responsibility of the Council to view this as a key priority area and to place it alongside the commitment and significance given by Denbighshire to Child Protection.