Issue - meetings

In November 2016 the Committee noted the publication of the Board’s annual report for 2016-17 and invited the Chairman back to provide further information on his priorities for the coming year, which was presented to the committee on 7 March 2017 (see agenda) where the following was noted:

·         The Board’s three overarching priorities for 2017-18 were:

o   Overall effectiveness of the Board

o   Personalising safeguarding, and

o   Prevention.

·         The increasing emphasis on a joined-up approach to child and adult safeguarding, including the Single View project.

To receive information from the Chairman of the Board on the board’s key areas of work in 2017-18, and its priorities for 2018-19.

Consideration was given to a report by the Chairman of the Wiltshire Safeguarding Adults Board which updated the Committee on:-

·         Two Safeguarding Adults Reviews the Board had undertaken.

·         How the learning from those reviews would help more effectively.

·         The Board’s Business Plan for 2018-2019.

The Board Chairman explained in some detail the process that had taken place in carrying out the two anonymised Safeguarding Reviews and stressed that much had been learnt from the process and some changes had already been implemented. Further changes would be introduced and he would update the Committee in due course.  It was important to note that the reviews did not seek to apportion individual blame for shortcomings but that all involved sought to work together to determine how improvements and further safeguards could be brought about. 

During discussion, it was acknowledged that there was a need to ensure that before a patient was discharged from care, there was a need to ensure that the person was being discharged to a safe environment and that any appropriate care required was available, including in that individual’s own home. There was generally more emphasis on keeping vulnerable people in the community as much as possible but at the same time due attention needed to be given to potential risks.   

Members were pleased to note the development of an adult Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH). However, it was pointed out that the implementation of a MASH in itself would not help agencies to improve outcomes but with adequate resources and successful planning there would be potential for this new operation arrangement to help:

·                Provide effective, consistent, multi-agency safeguarding arrangements.

·                Increase understanding and application of the Mental Capacity Act.

·                To more effectively assess risk.

·                To identify emerging concerns.

The Committee sought reassurance that advocacy was always considered when appropriate as it appeared not to have been used in one of the cases. The Chairman of the Board offered to look into this and report back.

After further discussion during which Members examined the Board’s Business Plan.  

Resolved:

(1)          To thank the Chairman of the Wiltshire Safeguarding Adult Board for presenting his report and answering the Committee’s questions.

(2)          To welcome the Chairman’s offer to circulate, for the Committee, the outcome of the Board’s discussion regarding the data charts included in the report.

(3)          To invite the Chairman of the Board to update the Committee on the outcome of the safeguarding adults reviews mentioned at this meeting, including the offer of advocacy.

(4)          To receive the Board’s next three-year strategy in 2019.