Agenda item

The Committee considered a report of the Independent Chair of Durham Safeguarding Children Partnership that provided an update on the transition from the Local Safeguarding Children Board (LSCB) to the new statutory partnership arrangement known as the Durham Safeguarding Children Partnership (DSCP) (for copy see file of Minutes).

The Independent Chair referred to a copy of the plan that outlined the new safeguarding arrangements and he highlighted the vision of what the partnership were trying to achieve.  He advised of the structure including the day to day functioning and the independent scrutiny arrangements.

The new structure of the DSCP is more streamlined to ensure that the right people are engaged to provide an immediate response when necessary. Members were advised that representatives from the three safeguarding partners of the CCGs, Durham Police and Durham County Council made up the Executive Group.

He went on to explain the DSCP would engage with the Criminal Justice Service, Education Sector, Health Service and the Voluntary and Community Sector who would help to shape the agenda for the Executive.

The Chair was pleased to receive this report and see a more streamlined and accountable approach.  She asked how long it would take to bed these changes in.  The Independent Chair explained that the Performance and Impact Group would expect to see changes from the first quarter.  The Executive Group meets monthly and would be able to flag up any issues that can be actioned much more quickly.  He would come back to a future meeting of the committee to report on the effectiveness.

With a multi-agency set-up and people having a different knowledge base and skills, Councillor Jewell asked how this was all brought together.  The Independent Chair explained that there was a need to know about each others role and that the Executive Group would break down any barriers to be able to prioritise work.  From the start the partnership had consulted with partners about how to engage and to be realistic in terms of their contribution to the partnership.  For example, the Probation Service were informed of how to engage on a national level however some local partners would be more effective in the community setting.  He went on to say that the common agenda for all was to keep children safe.

Councillor Crute asked for assurances in relation to the flow of data so that whole systems would work without any barriers.  The Independent Chair explained that the partnership were aware of what data could be shared.

Referring to the Young Commissioner, Councillor Potts asked how they would be involved.  The Independent Chair advised that service users and practitioners had been involved in the process and discussions would take place about how to include the Young Commissioner.  They would engage with young people and coordinate a young people’s annual report from feedback from agenda days and internal scrutiny panels.

Resolved:

(i)           That the content of the report be noted.

(ii)          That the update of the transition arrangements was received.

(iii)         That an annual update from the DSCP to ensure links were made between local child death issues and learning from regional reviews be agreed.

(iv)        That a report on the effectiveness of the changes come back to a meeting in 6-12 months time, be agreed.