Agenda item

To consider a report by the Team Manager Safeguarding Operational Services (copy attached) which seeks the Committee to review the Council’s progress in relation to local safeguarding arrangements and practices during the above period, and their impact on vulnerable adults in the county.

10.45am – 11.30am

The Lead Member for Well-being and Independence, Councillor Bobby Feeley, introduced the Annual Report on Safeguarding Adults in Denbighshire 1 April 2018 – 31 March 2019 (previously circulated).

During the previous 12 months, there had been continued focus on improving the consistency and quality of safeguarding work.  Significant work had been undertaken to improve performance against the Welsh Government performance indicator of enquiries completed within seven working days.  Nevertheless the Authority could not and would not be complacent in this area.

The Mental Capacity (Amendment) Act 2019 received Royal assent in May 2019, which amended the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (“MCA”).  The amendments introduced the new Liberty Protection Safeguards (LPS).  The Act was designed to reduce the strain on the deprivation of liberty safeguards system since the Cheshire West judgement previously reported to Scrutiny Committee. 

Key achievements in 2018-2019 were as follows:

·         Set days established for initial strategy meetings following a successful pilot.

·         Quarterly audits of sample safeguarding cases in order to assure quality and consistency of work.

·         A pilot to establish a process between DCC and the Health Board relating to feedback on recommendations identified as a result of the safeguarding process.  The pilot was focused on the safeguarding reports/incidents relating to the Ablett Unit.  The overview of the safeguarding action plans would remain the responsibility of Scrutiny Corporate Safeguarding within BCUHB.  Reviews and involvement of the local authority safeguarding leads would be agreed in the final strategy meeting.

·         Pilot of an approach to deal with safeguarding reports relating to acquired pressure ulcers.  The aim of the pilot was to establish a closer and more effective process between BCUHB and the local authority.

·         Review of systems to manage Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) applications received.

The Service Manager – Specialist Services confirmed referrals were still on the increase with a 9.5% rise over the last year.  21% of referrals received were progressed to Strategy meetings. 

Neglect and physical abuse were the most common types of abuse reported, which was consistent with national trends.

During discussions, the following issues were raised:

·         Appropriate care, especially meal times, if a vulnerable person was unable to open the sandwich boxes provided.  This was a concern raised by members. The Head of Community Support Services confirmed he would raise this concern with BCUHB

·         Moving a resident to a place of safety when a problem with a placement had been borne out by an inspection – was there a timescale?  The Head of Community Support Services clarified that if an individual had capacity, they could choose to remain in the placement.  If they did not have capacity then their Power of Attorney would be consulted if one is in place, or a Best Interest Decision Meeting held.  Specialist Social Workers, Psychiatrists and Psychologists assessed whether an individual had capacity or not

·         Officers outlined the process followed following receipt of an allegation of abuse

·         Denbighshire’s performance in relation to dealing with alleged abuse was comparable to other public authorities in Wales as was its relationship with the local Health Board.  Two integrated health and social care community resource teams had been established in Denbighshire to date.  The relationships within these teams were generally good, with staff working towards achieving and delivering common goals;

·         Officers confirmed that the possibility of introducing an ‘award’ accreditation for care homes was under consideration as part of a national regulation regime for such establishments

·         the Service’s ambition was to achieve better outcomes for service-users, whilst reducing the number of alleged incidents of abuse.  However, the fact that allegations of abuse were being registered was in itself positive as it meant that service-users and/or their carers were on alert and willing to report allegations.  This in turn should help deter perpetrators in future.

RESOLVED that, subject to the above comments and observations:

(i)    the Committee receive the report and acknowledge the importance 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

(ii)  that any charts included in future reports include actual numbers as well as percentage figures.